JOURNALISTIC ENTERPRISE

Lake County Mail, Issue 1, 29 May 1947, Page 1

JOURNALISTIC ENTERPRISE

From the embers of the Lake Wakatip. Mail, scarcely cold, a new journal, the Lake County Mail, now makes its first appearance in Queenstown. Queenstown and district, people, for more than three decades, have enjoyed the privilege of their own medium of news and opportunity of bringing their wants directly before the public. The passing of the Lake Wakatip Mail, just on four months ago, attributed by the owner to staffing and other difficulties, was correctly described by a contributor in an esteemed contemporary, The Weekly

News,” when he remarked: “The agitation with which this statement was received was comparable to that which is evoked by an announcement of war.” This very direct assertion is qualified by the complementary remarks: “On street corners and in shops . .■. on lakeside benches, the town talked of nothing else. Pevrurbation Avas most pronounced among the older residents, for to them it Avas more than the loss of a newspaper —it Avas the loss of an old and trusted friend.”

Established in 1863 when the township of Queenstown was only in its infancy, there were several changes of ownership; suffice it to say that the Warren family came into possession in the year 1867, and the paper passed into other hands in July of last year. That the Mail fulfilled its mission as a recorder of the events of the day is openly admitted on every hand. Its files, as has been truthfully stated, are rich storehouses of historical information, for it was established in the gold-rush days of Early Otago. The Lake County Mail, as the new paper is appropriately named, cannot claim to be born on the advent of a great mining boom as in the colourful days of the Shotover and Fox’s. Its birth coincides with a big revival of the tourist traffic and consequent increase in business following on the last Great War. It will be heralded by the farming community, by the business firms in the district, and especially by the loyal subscribers of the Lake Wakatip Mail,

The passing of the Mail robbed the town of a definite community service. It relegated the town, in a measure, to the status of a backblock village. It at least spelt retrogression—not progress. Many of the older residents who have grown up with the paper, and their descendants, complained of the want of a local newspaper; and business people and small advertisers were unable, adequately, to let their wants be known. Quicker and more frequent transport does tend to adversely affect newspapers and printing businesses situated near to the cities, but in the case of Queenstown, so far removed from bigger centres, a local paper is undeniably requisite to give adequate cover to the daily or weekly happenings in town and district. Tn the absence of a local paper, too, opportunity is lost to those who, by constructive criticism, contribute to the wellbeing of the town. The promoters of the new journal are . to be commended for their enterprise. Before entering on it, they measured up ' the situation. Direct contact with potential advertisers and subscribers has convinced them that the enterprise is worth while. They have the resources behind them, and will leave no stone unturned to give free scope to reports of the weekly happenings in town and district. They acknowledge that the Freedom of the Press is one of the fundamental principles of democracy. The right to print nmvs as expeditiously, as accurately and as truthfully as human ingenuity can devise, has for years been one of the freedoms indissolubly united with domo- " cratic progress toward the enlightened and tolerant State. The columns of the Lake County Mail will therefore be open for fair and constructive criticism, and correspondence and nows items will be welcomed. It is hoped that the new paper will have as successful a career as the Lake Wakatip Mail. This can only be attained with the full co-operation of tfie business people and potential subscriber-. If a Thatcher lived in the present day and general ion, he might repeat the appropriate chorus to lines written by him when 1 lie Lake Wakatip Mail was born: ‘‘Here’s great success to the Mail, May it be o) long duration; And ever in this district have A roaring circulation.” — W. D. Wabeen.

In these days of doubt and uncertainty, when the world, and the peoples of the world, are being swayed and unsettled by the cross currents that follow the disturbance caused by war, it is encouraging to encounter the spirit of enterprise. It is a worthwhile demonstration of that spirit that is being given by the founders of the “Lake County Mail.” The good wishes of a wide circle of people will support those responsible for the' new publication. It has a tradition to live up to, for the old “Lake Wakatip Mail” was an essential part of the life of the community and, over the years, had filled a place and set a standard that will not be very easy for a successor to attain. With such an example to serve as inspiration and spur, the “Lake County Mail” must commence with an objective plainly in view. That

Is an important factor in the launching of any venture, for there are too many cases nowadays, both as regards the lives of people and businesses, where the objective is not clear and definite. If there is no clear understanding as regards the goal to be reached, progress towards it will be difficult to measure. But those associated with the establishment of the “Lake County Mail” have a goal, an objective, and, as the spirit of enterprise becomes linked with the spirit of persistent endeavour, progress must follow. The new Journal is worthy of the fullest local support. Its birth and early steps will rouse a sympathetic interest in the hearts of many people throughout New Zealand. May it have a successful career and may it worthily fill the place formerly occupied by its predecessor, T. L. MacDONALD, M.P.

For eighty-four years this District was served by a weekly newspaper known as The Lake Wakatip Mail. A change of ownership and policy, however, brought about the cessation of that well-known and valued publication on 7th February of thij year. This business was inaugurated in 1863, and from 1867 till 1947 —a period of no less than eighty years—was owned and the paper published by the Warren family. Mr. W. D. Warren, who ■ till interests himself in journalism in ■ Queenstown, relinquished ownership on 30th June, 1947, the business being acquired by Mr. G. Cochrane. During the months that have passed since Mr. Cochrane decided to cease publishing The Lake Wakatip Mail, a great want has been felt through the lack of local news by the country residents in particular. 1 am, however, now informed that it is the intention to revive the publication of a weekly newspaper in this District. This, to our district people, is welcome news, and on behalf of the ratepayers and residents of Lake County I wish to congratulate the publishers on their enterprise, and express the hope and belief that the move will be successful. The fact that the Cromwell Arrjus has, in the interim, been providing a page for Lake District news, has been much appreciated, but this I feel is not of such value as a district newspaper. Having experienced the want of a local publication, I feel sure that the District people will give you their fullest support, not only through the newspaper but also in the way of jobbing business. I appreciate the opportunity offered me of making a brief statement through this, the initial issue, and feel sure that if you provide an all-round service, as I am sure you will endeavour to do. you can count on a full measure of support by the people throughout the whole District. D. H. COCKBURN.