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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4381, 5 April 1875, Page 2

Oun esteemed contemporary, the Dunedin Evening Star, in a recent issue gives the following interesting history of that journal, and of the well-deserved success which has attended its spirited proprietor, Mr. George Bell :—“ Perhaps nob many are aware that the Evening Star was first projected and conducted by Mr. Mulhollaud, a gentleman well-known in Dunedin some ten years ago, but who some seven years since passed to his grave. From him it was transferred to Mr, Heuningham, and reached a circulation of about 1000. At that time it was a small sheet of sixteen columns of matter, of which two or three at ‘most were devoted to a detail of passing events. In 1860 a change was made in its form, but the size of the sheet was not increased until June 11, 1860, when the journal became the property of the present proprietor. The time of issue prior to that period had been fitful, varying from seven in the evening until ten or even later; but uncertain, as it .was, the day’s news waa sought for, although occasionally only a few subscribers received copies of the paper prior to retiring to rest. In 1869 efforts were made to secure an early and regular issue, and so much were they appreciated by the public that the circulation rose rapidly from 1000 or 1200, to 2500 daily, and gradually from.that number to the present large issue of 4700.” A new printing machine was wanted to supply the increasing demand at an early . hour, and the Star gives the history of the one now in use in that office :—“ As time was of consequence, rather than incur the delay of receiving one from England, arrangements were made for purchasing one that had been used by the Melbourne Age, with which 22,000 copies of that journal had been printed daity. The history of this printing machine is interesting. Constructed in the first instance for the London Times, it became too slow for the immense daily circulation of that journal, and unsuitable to the mode of working in that office when circular instead of fiat forms were adopted. It was therefore transferred from Loudon to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and served the purpose of the Newcastle Co nr ant until its circulation rendered more rapid printing necessary. The proprietor of the. Melbourne Age purchased it, and worked it until he, too, found it too slow for his needs, and we trust not many years will elapse before the Evening Star will have to supersede it by a nimbler successor. Yet this printing machine, which in its turn has served the requirements of the London Times , Newcastle Conrant, and the Melbourne Age, can in need throw off about 5000 copies per hour, and nightly prints at the rate of about seventy copies per minute.” We wish our contemporary an equally prosperous future.