An Old Landmark.

Manawatu Herald, 22 November 1892, Page 3

An Old Landmark.

One of the few remaining landmarks of old Wellington is about to be demolished. The structure is an ancient looking wooden building, with a primitive sniall paned shopwindow overlooked by dormer or j attic Windows, and it stands opposite the Foy'il Oak Hotel in MannergstrJeet; It was erected by tlie late Mt Sairiuel Revaris towards tlie end of the year 1840, as a printing and publishing office for the New Zealand Gazette, the first newspaper printed in this city. Mr Thomas McKenzie, the founder of the Independent, learned the art of printing in the Gazette office. The timber used in the construction of the old building was brought across the water from Petone, and the landing of the material was opposed by the Maoris, who objected — notwithstanding that they had parted .with their interest in the laud where the Gazette office was to .be built— to the house being built. Blood was nearly being spilt between the settlers and the aboriginals over the dispute, but fortunately the original' owners of the soil gave way, and operations were concluded without further obstruction. In the early part of 1841, when Governor Fitzroy arrived in Wellington, it was immediately outside the Gazette office that he held a korero with the natives, and where he was successful in amicably adjusting certain land disputes which had arisen between the Maoris and the settlers. The Gazette, which was published every Saturday was first of all a doublecrown sheet, and was printed on a Columbian hand-press a rumbling kind of affair which has for nearly 80 years past been banished from printing establishments. The late Mr Francis Yates was the first printer, and upon his being drowned in the harbour he was succeeded by the late Mr Edward Roe. Eventually Mr Stokes purchased the plant and paper from Mr Revans, and removed the business to the " beach," on the site of the present City Buffet, where he started the Spectator and Cook Strait Guardian. The latter ceased to exist more than a quarter of a century ago. 'J he old building is to be re-placed by a two-storey brick structure, which Mr G. Winder purposes erecting as a showroom for machinery, and a heavier class, of goods. — Post.