DEATH OF AN OLD JOURNALIST.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1013, 5 October 1903, Page 3

DEATH OF AN OLD JOURNALIST.

MB W BEERY. '(Special to Times.) Auckland, Saturday. Your readers will read with deep regret the death of Mr VV. Berry, editor of the New Zealand Herald, and uncle of Mrs Cuff, of Gisborno. The Auckland Herald this morning states : —“ It is with very deep regret that wo have to announce the death of Mr William Berry, the editor of this journal. The sad event was wholly unexpected, Mr Berry had up till Tuesday laßt been apparently in his usual health, but on that day he felt unwell, and left the office early in the day. On the following day he resumed his editorial duties, and continued to do so until yesterday afternoon, when ho left for his home at Lake Takapuna, there being then nothing in his appearance or manner to indicate that there was anything unusual in his condition.

During the evening, however, he bi came suddenly ill, and Dr Laing, c Davenport, was aent for between te and eleven o’clock, but Mr Berry hai passed away before the doctor arrived The sad news came as a severe blow to th staff of the New Zealand Herald, who wil feel the loss very keenly in view of tbi cordial relations that have existed betweei Mr Borry and his colleagues lor so manj years. When about twelve years of agt Mr Berry became an apprentice in thr composing-room of the Scotsman news' paper, .which for many years has occupied a high position in the journalism of Great Britain. The life of a printer’s devil was then a much harder one than it is now. He had to kindle the fire 3 early in the winter mornings, to sweep the office, to wash rollers, and to feed the printing machine. It can be easily understood that, entering on the business of life

at that early age, Mr Berry was not | possessed of much in the way of education, and boys in his position then had to educate themselves at night schools or otherwise, as best they could. But in some respects the position had its advantages in the way of cultivating a literary taste. Mr Alexander Russel was then the editor of the Scotsman, and there was then in Edinburgh, and occasionally contributing to the Scotsman, a number of literary men of eminence. Mr T. B. Macaulay, afterwards Lord Macaulay, represented the city in the House of Commons. John Wilson (Christopher North) was a familiar figure in the streets, and was then writing the “ Noctes Ambrosi-

an®. ” DeQuincey wbb also a residenl

I George Combe, the famous phrenologist, I was a frequent contributor to the ScotsI man. The university had then amongst I its professors men who had a European I reputation in tboir departments, and seveI ral of these, amongst them Professor I Blackie, were frequently in the Scotsman I office. While Mr Herry was in the office, I the repeal of the newspaper stamp duty, of the paper duty, and of the advertisement I duty took place. These were termed the “ taxes on knowledge.” Their repeal was I virtually a revolution in the newspaper world, and journals succeeded or failed as they adapted themselves, or failed to adapt themselves, to the new conditions. The | Scotsman, mainly under the wise guidance ol the late Mr John R. Findlay, took the right course,! and has met with its reward. Mr Berry was for many , years a reader, and afterwards was assistant foreman in the office. In 1864 he came out to Auckland under an engagement to the Southern Cross, then owned by Messrs Creighton and Scales. He remained on that paper as a reporter till 1868, when he went to the Thames Advertiser. In 1875 he returned to Auckland, at the instance of the late Mr W. C. Wilson, of tfaeNew Zealand Herald, and has been on this paper ever

sinoe. About six years ago Mr Berry paid a visit to the Old Country and the United States, being absent from Auckland for some six months. Ho was present at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in London, and was much impressed by the memorable scenes he then witnessed, ani by what he saw at the places he visited in England, Scotland, and the United States. The deceased leaves a wife, three daughters, and two sons, whom great sympathy will be felt in their great loss.” THE FUNEBAL. Fen Press Association. Auckland, last night.

The funeral of the late Mr W. Berry, editor of the New Zealand Herald, took place this afternoon. The interment was of a private nature. Those present were confined to personal friends, the proprietors and members of the various staffs of the Herald and Weekly News. A very large number of wreaths, including those from the Herald and Weekly News proprietors and employees, the New Zealand Journalists’ Institute, Auckland branch of the Journalists’ Institute, Mayor of Auckland, and many others. Messages of condolence were received from Mr Massey, leader of the Opposition, and other members of Parliament, besides numerous friends.