NEWSPAPER PROGRESS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 500, 27 January 1920, Page 2

NEWSPAPER PROGRESS

Linograph Installed At " Time* " Office OUTLAY MADE ESSENTIAL. BY GREATLY INCREASED CIRCULATION. (Editorial.)

Several months ago, in the course of a leading article, under the caption "Running a Newspaper," wc forecasted, in an inferential way, that considerable developments were in prospect for this journal, provided that the community in the Franklin County and electorate, and the areas of the Raglan, Manukau ; and TKames electorates, for which the "Times" provides an unrivalled news us adequate commercial (tnfet is, advertising and printing) support in return. Happily, the response has been generous, and the staunch maintenance of this support is a sufficient tribute to the service and quality of work produced at this office. The many assurances of goodwill that have been given us. added to our unbounded faith in the future of the great, prosperous, and populous district we serve, has led us to consider ourselves justified in launching out in a big and bold way. During the past ;veek we have installed a linograph (similar machine to the linotype), at a cost of £IOOO, for the purpose of setting type by machinery instead of by hand. First la ihe County.

The "Times" linograph is the first machine of its kind ever installed in any office in the Franklin County, and marks a distinct stage in the development of this journal the only paper * published on the the Main Trunk line between Auckland and Huntly.

Besides setting the news column's bf the "Times," as at present, the lino will also shortly be equipped for the execution of various classes of job printing. Our printing has long been recognised by experts in the trade as bring equally as good as the best samples produced in the cities, and well ahead of much one sees from pity houses. Added to our existing good quality of 6utput, we afe now able to ensure equal speed to that obtaining anywhere else. Under these favourable conditions, he would be a very foolish person indeed, from both private'and public viewpoints, who would now go past, a local business and send his money out of the district.

Record Circulation. This marvellous growth in the circulation of the "Times" is a feature that affords us singular 4 gratification, and it is a guarantee that our advertisers are being well served. During the past eight months;our circulation has increased by over 500 new subscribers; and, as on reliable estimates, it is concluded that from four to five persons read each copy of a local paper, this means that the "Times" has now from 2000 to 2500 more readers than it had eight months ago—and this practically without canvassing for new subscribers! It is a record that even a city daily might be justified in boastihg about. We have reason to believe that there is no other paper in the Dominion, published either twice or three times a week, which can surpass our circulation figures. In all modesty, we beg leave to assume that the spontaneous and astonishing increase in our circulation, is proof that the litarary contents of the "Times" meet with'the approval of the community. It may be interesting to add that, on account of reports of district affairs, which have been reprinted from thi "Times" into Southern journals, many new people have been induced to take up land and businesses in this district. The Future.

Our lino, which was secured through the Dominion agents. , Messrs. Brown and Stewart, Swanson Street, Auckland (one of the most reputable firms of wholesale station- ; ers and printers' machinery importers in New Zealand), was installed by Mr. J. F, McDermott, of the "Waipa Post," Te Awamutu. Mr. McDermott's work at our offie fully justifies his reputation for efficiency and conscientiousness as a lino expert. To operate the machine we have been fortunate in sec Jtrinc; the services of Mr. Chas. Steele, la to of the "New Zealand Herald," who manipulates the intricate and wonderfully ingenious piece of mechanism with a facility which nonpiusses the uninitiated. We should also like to add a wore" of appreciation of those responsible for the conveyance of the heavy, yet very delicate machinery, from the truck to our office. As the Pukekohe railway station does not possess a crane capable of lifting anything much heavier than an empty perambulator, the handling of the lino was a difficult and delicate job. Mr. Guest, with his motor lorry, and the borough engineer (Mr. W. Wyatt) solved the problem, the latter capably directing operations, as it were, and incidentally sparing us much of his valuable time. They landed everything safely in position, ready for bolting down by Messrs. Cooper and Curd. The electric motor and driving gear wSs install by Mr. W. 3. Russell, the local electrician. The smooth running testifies to the quality of their work. As time goes on, and the district develops, we shall still further increase our facilities for producing a creditable journal. The rate of progress entirely depends on the volume of business done, and, therefore, while heartily thanking our customers and the thousands of people who read the "Times" regularly twice a week, for their generous support in the past, we hope that their patronage will continue, to the advantage of the whole community.