The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, November 27, 1909. AN OLD HAND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 602, 27 November 1909, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, November 27, 1909. AN OLD HAND.

Mr Driver, the clever magician who appears in the Public Hall on Monday evening next, served his apprenticeship on the “ New Zealander ” (now the N.Z. Times). He is one of the old school of Wellington comps. The present proprietor of the paper finished his apprenticeship on the Times under “Bob” Wright now Wright, M.P. for Wellington South. A “crack” with Mr Driver about some of the old hands was mutually enjoyable. It’s pleasant at times to live again in the past: to think of the old comps.: many of whom are filling honourable and responsible positions in the life of the Dominion, and to come into contact with others who represent the pioneer school. There are only a few of the latter left —the majority have “ pulled their final proof.” In this district we have some pioneers in the persons of Mr W. C. Nation, J.P., of Levin (late proprietor and founder of the Horowhenua Chronicle), and Mr Bannister, now farming near Palmerston; also Mr R. E. Hornblow (proprietor of the Mangaweka Settler). Mr Tom L. Mills, editor of the Feilding Star, represents a later school from the same office. Anyhow, to show that his right had not lost its cunning, Mr Driver surprised some of the young ’uns in this office by taking a “ stick ” and setting up portion of our last issue, and .even now he can hold his own at “case work ” with the majority and his first love has still a greater attraction for him than the glare of the footlights. “May his apports never grow less !”