A SYDNEY PUBLICATION

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1921, Page 1

A SYDNEY PUBLICATION

Eighty years represents a large portion of the life of any Australian community yet it is for that period that one of the best ami most widely known newspapers in the Commonwealth, the “Sydney Morning Herald, - ’ lias been in tln> hands of the Fairfax family. Founded in April, 1831, and therefore the oldest paper in Australia that is still being published, the “Sydney

Herald,” as it was then called, was bought by John Fairfax, and another and first appeared with their names in, the imprint on February Bth., 184.1. Fairfax had been the owner of a newspaper in Leamington, Warwickshire, but was ruined by the heavy costs of a libel action, which he defended success-

fully, brought against him by a public official whom ho had, figuratively speaking, flayed for an act of tyranny. Broken in fortune, though not in spirit, Ifairfax emigrated with his young family to Sydney, arriving there in 1888 with £o in his pocket. He secured some office work and after hours used to do casual jobs for the then proprietor of the ''Sydney Herald.” who

eventually sold him tin* paper. Ten years later Ah' Fairfax visited England land paid off liis old creditors, and Jon returning to Sydney became the sole proprietor of the “Herald,” which has ever since belonged only to the Fairfax family. He was a man of strong personality, generous to his employees, and honoured by all who knew him. Australian, and particularly Sydney,

journalism is fortunate in having had him for one of its founders. The tradition he established was carried on unblemished by bis son, the late Sir lames Fairfax and under the control of liis sons the “Sydney Morning Herald” maintains the commanding position that was won for it by their grandfather and father, Tn the early days of the “Herald newspapers were somewhat of a luxury A first issued in 1831. it was a small four-page paper, issued once a week, costing 7d a copy. Hi 1833 it began to come out twice a week, at fid, and in 1840 it became a daily, at apparently the same price. Tt fell gradually to 2d, and was first issue;! at a penny in 1803. Its first machine turned out 250

copies nil hour; its present Hoot of machines can produce 0(5.000 papers an hour. Cable news was unknown until 187'/. and not till four years later was it available from New Zealand. I’os-sil-J’y before, the ‘Herald'’ bus tomnleted its centenary under Fairfax management the cable will have become ohl-fashioned and '‘Herahi’’ readers will be getting their news by wireless telegraphy and the wireless telephone. The ( hange will hardly be more striking than many that have occurred since 'he first ropies of the “Herald' 1 were printed on a hand-press by the light of two candles.