NEWSPAPER FOR GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1043, 14 December 1882, Page 3

NEWSPAPER FOR GERALDINE.

Some time ago the proprietor of this paper received the following communication : ‘To the Proprietor of the TemurA Leader, Newspaper, Temuka. ‘Sir, —We, the undersigned potitioneis. resident in and around the township ot Gei’aldine, hereby agree to give you our patronage, and hearty support should you feel incliuded to remove your paper and plant to the town of Geraldine.’ This was signed by Mr W, Postlethwaite, and most of the leading men in the district, having altogether over 100 signatures to it. There were certain difficulties in the way of complying with the request contained in this requisition. We had a lease of premises which wo could not very well dispose of, and there were many other things to consider. The kind offer of Geraldiue, however, was never l«st sight of. It was thought of serious’y for a week or two, and the result was that it led to an interview between the proprietor of this paper and some of the leading men who had signed the requisition. It was then agreed to call a public meeting for the purpose of discussing certain proposals, an 1 that meeting, which was convened by circular, was held last Tuesday evening in Messrs J. Mundel! aud Go.’s auction room, Geraldiue,

There was a large attendance, about 60 people being present, and, doubtless a great many more would have been there but that they had been in Temuka late on the same afternoon attending the funeral.

Mr W. Postlethwaite occupiud the chair, and sail that he bad great pleasure in presiding at that meeting iu compliance with the request of some of the leaders of the movement. The object of the meeting, as they all knew, was to discuss the advisability of establishing a newspaper in the towu. It appeared that some time age a requisition had been forwarded to Mr Twomey, proprietor of the Temuka Leader, asking him to start a pap-TP in Geraldine, and the present meetting was held now to further the project Tb v all knew the importance of a properly 7 conducted paper to any district, and that people looked for the newspaper as anxiously as they did for their breakfast or dinner. A newspaper brought before the minds of its readers the news of the day ; it made them conversant with what was going on in the outside world, and was a great public educator 7 Besides this, it would be of great value to them as an advertising medium, and they all would recognise the importance of advertising. At the time the matter was irst mooted h® had told Mr Twomey, that he ought to consider the subject thoroughly. Mr Twomey must consider the L.S.D. side of the question, otherwise it could not succeed, and he was present tc-night to see what support would be given to him. If the paper was properly supported, Mr Twomey was fully determined to publish a paper called the Geraldine Guardian. They should not forget that getting up a paper was very expensive. There was a great deal of expense incurred in collecting news and , pi-eparing it for publication, in paying for telegrams, in the purchase of necessary plant, and in paying the staff to carry on the work. They should not forget also that if they wanted a paper of their own it was absolutely necessary for them to it ; it could not be carried on without support, and so lie hoped that if they thought that the time had arrived for establishing a paper in the town, they would all come forward and give it liberal support. There was a certain amount ©f encouragement which Mr Twomey would want before he could start the paper, and it was necessary that the people should come forward at once and intimate the extent to which they would support him. He hoped they would all speak out their minds freely, as it was in that way Mr Twomey would ascertain their feeling with regard to the matter. ( Applause). Mr Digby Andrews asked whether it would be a morning or an evening paper.

Mr Twomey replied that it was intended at present to be a morning paper. He might as well perhaps say a few wordsj so as to let the meeting properly understand his intentions. First of all he wished to thank the people of Geraldine very sincerely for their kindness in asking him to establish a paper in their midst. He was extremely glad to find that the project had originated with the Geraldine readers of the Tejiuka Leader, as he felt that the movement was an expression of appreciation of the way the paper was conducted. He did not think that he was appreciated in Temuka, as he might have been, and consequently to find that the people of Geraldine set some value on his labors was indeed a source of great comfort to him. He therefore felt really thankful to the people of Geraldine, he felt he owed them a debt of gratitude, and, whether the project now on foot succeeded or not, he would never forget their kindness, and so long as he was connected with newspapers . he would always be ready to put in a ( goodfword £or|Goraldine, ( Applause). As

i-og'mis the paper lie was going to publish for them, it was intended to be issued three times a week, and the present s’/e of the. Temuka Leader. There were about ten columns of news given in the Temuka Leader, and he intended to make the Geraldine Guardian the same size. Of course it could not be made equal to papers published in large towns ; it was a matter of utter impossibility to do so. IF the richest man in the district undertook the task he would be a bankrupt in a very short time. It would cost about £IOO a week to publish a paper like the Timaru Herald* But though it might not beaslarge as papers published in other towns, it was possible to make it more useful to their district. It would not be fair to compare it with the Timaru Herald aud say it was not as good value for the money as that paper, because it could not be as large, and if the people would only support the largest aud best paper they could get it would be useless to start a local paper for them. But if they recognised that a local paper that would watch the interests of the district might be more useful to ti e district than large outside papers, and gave it support on this ground, it would undoubtedly succeed in doing good, provided the people took proper interest in it. They ought to take a pride in it, and look upon it ns the guardian of their interests and the best way they could do that would be to write to it whenever any idea struck them that they thought would be for the public good. It would be no use for anybody to try to obtain publication for anything that would reflect on any of his neighbors. Such tilings would never be allowed, but communications on public matters would never be refused a place in the paper. It was in this way that the paper might be be made useful, because there were several matters which wanted only to be put before the public to bo acted upon. Not alone would the man with whom the idea originated be thinking over the. matter, but the readers of the paper throughout the district would be thinking over it, and the result would be that it would eventually, if found desireable, be taken up. Through the medium of the paper oue could communicate Ins thoughts to every man in the district, and therefore no one should hesitate to write. If they wanted the paper to be as useful as it could be, they should write to it, and/here would be no danger of their names ever becoming known if the} 7 did not like to publish them. Generally people had enough to do to think over their own affairs, and unless matters wee put before them in the papers, they would never cast a thought on many things. It is the business of an editor to watch what is going on in the places, to think on what is suitable for the district in which his paper circulates, and to publish such things as he thinks will be for the public good. He need uot necessarily bo a man of wealth or influence, because all be wants to do is to put the matter before the public, and if there is anything in it, it will be taken up. He was a great believer in local industries, and if they wanted to start any enterprise in the district he would be with them heart and soul. (Applause). There was another matter he wanted to mention. The requisition asked him to come to Geraldine altogether. He would have been most happy to leave Temuka only that there were some difii culties in the way. It would cost £6 or £7 more to print the paper at Geraldine than it was costing him co print it in Temuka, and he had a lease of premises that he could not get rid of, and there were other difficulties, in the way. After considering all these things, notwithstanding that he felt a desire to leave Temuka, lie was afraid that it would not do to remove. The result of removing might bo a failure, and that would net be good for any one. H a paper failed in Geraldiue no one would attempt to start another there, perhaps for the next 20 years, and that would do harm, aud if it failed it would simply be disastrous to him (Mr Twomey). He had bit upon a plan which be thought would be of advantage to all. He intended to print the paper in Temuka, and have it published in Geraldine. He would keep a competent reporter in Geraldine and hare an office there, and he would be present himself on all important occasions. Although the paper would be printed in Temuka it would have a Geraldine name, and it would watch Geraldine interests as well as if it were printed there, tn fact he could assure them that lie would pay far more attention to Geraldine than he wauld to Temuka. (Cheers). It was merely a matter of convenience to prnt the paper in Temuka,it would be a Geraldine paper, and it would be issued from an office in Geraldine just as if it were printed there. In this way he intended to test whether Geraldine could support a paper or not, and if lie found that it could, and that it would be a bettor held than Temuka, he certainly would remove to Geraldine altogether. (Cheers). However, in the meantime it was a matter of no consequence whore the paper was printed, so long as it looked after the interests of the district, and he would pledge himself that it would do that.

Some questions having been answered, Mr John Mundell said that lie had been conversant with the movement since it started, and bad concluded that they could not do a better thing than establish a paper in the town, lie had frequently spoken to Mr Twomoy on the subject,

and he had f"und him will’ng (o establish one if lie thought lie could get sufficient support. Now, they must, not forget that Mr Twomey hadm-tcome pressing himself on iliem. Ho had come in compliance' with a requisition numerously signed, and every one who signed it did so volun* i arily, believing that it would result it! much good to the district. He could not conceive how any one who had local interests at heart could refuse to support a local paper. If it were for nothing else it would be of great importance to them as an advertising medium. They all knew that (he greatest successes had been achieved by advertising. The Americans went in very much for adveitising, and they were proportionately successful. Hitherto they had had to gc to Timaru with their advertising, and it would be a great convenience for them to have a paper of their own. He did not sec that it made one bit of difference where the paper was printed, so long as it was published in Geraldine, bore a Geraldine name, and advocated Geraldine interests. Lie had no doubt but that it would do this, as Mr Twomey knew very well that the Held was open to competition, and that if he did not produce such a paper as he promised there wore probabilities of another cutting him out. Mr Twomey meant to stick to the paper, aud make it a success it possible. They had heard him say that he would work for Geraldine more readily than for Temuka. They would not ask so much of him. If he would work for Geraldine as lie had been doing for Temuka, he felt sure they would all be well satisfied with him. He knew lie had done a great deal of good in Temuka, and if they gave him proper encouragement here he would do good in Geraldine also. It was very important for them to have a paper in which they would have free scope to write in its columns, because in that way they could advocate whatever they wish to stir up, He would now urge upon them the necessity of giving it their support, and he did riot see how any one who would like to see Geraldine go ahead could refuse to do so. Mr Twomey had not come pressing himself upon them, but at the same time it was a speculation on las part, and if it did not pay he could not carry it on. Any one who would support the paper would support his own interests. They wanted some local enterprises, and the paper would be the best Help they could have (o start (hem. Ho would now move- “ That as the proprietor of the Temdka Leader has, in compliance with a requisition numerously signed and forwarded to him by the residents in this town and district, undertaken to publish a newspaper in Geraldine, to be called the Geraldine Guardian, wo, at this public meeting assembled, pledge ourselves to support him to our utmost ability.

MrT. Farrell seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously amid cheers. Mr Sheers said that as Mr Tvvomoy had opened his mind so freely to (hem that night they ought all to support him. Mr Dunlop thought that after the show of bauds that carried the first resolution he might safely trust the resolution lie would now propose to them, lie understood the paper would be a daily, but if it could not be that, they would gee the next best thing they could. He was quite agreeable to suppport it, and hoped every one who wished to see the town and place go ahead would do the same. He had great pleasure in moving—That as we consider the establishment of a paper in this town a most practical and important step in the direction of advancing local interests, we would urge upon all the residents in the district the desirability of giving it their support. Mr Kelmau seconded the motion, and urged upon all thu necessity of supporting itThe resolution was carried unanimously. Mr Digby Andrews said Mr Tworaey would have to incur considerable expense to start the paper, and it would be only fair that he should get some guarantee of support before incurring liabilities. He would therefore move — 1 That as a certain number of paid-up subscribers are required before the paper can be started, we would suggest to intending subscribers the desirability of forwarding their names with £1 Is, subscription for 12 months, at once, and that the following committee be appointed to receive the same, and to forward the project generally—viz., Messrs Mutidell, Dunlop, D. Andrews. R. Taylor, T. Farrell, Eckford, Kelman, Postlethwahe M.H.R., Williams, 0. E. Slierratt, 11. S. Cook. Mr W. J. Ennis seconded the motion. Mr Slierratt asked what was the necessity of a committee, and also what would be done with the money when it was collected.’

The Chairman explained that Uie objectof the Committee was to prevent any one from imagining that if lie gave his guinea to Mr Tvvomey uo paper might be produced. The money would be paid to the Committee, and kept till Mr Tvvomey produced the paper and then it would be given to Mr Tvvomey. Mr Tvvomey said that was exactly the object of appointing a Committee. It was to show the people that everything was being done above board, and to leave no ground for suspicion. There was nothing in asking a few people to pay for a year in advance. There were several who had paid for the Tkmuka Leaden a year in advance. It was absolutely necessary for a certain number to guarantee

that they would support the paper fur 12 months, and the way they con d do tl at was to pay one guinea in advance for it. if the paper did not succeed, and would have to be shut up, say in six month ’ time, be would leturn half the money. Fo man would produce a paper unless bo got a certainty of a number of subscribers foi 12 months, because he wouM not know but that after going to expense they all might get tired of it before it had been properly started. He did not believe that any one who had auy desire to see a paper started in the place would hesitate one moment in paying a year in advance (Hear hear.) The fact was that in all ciees where new papers were sia ted in small tewns where the Reid was doubtful it was usual for the people to give the proprietor ot it a guarantee that they will give him so much advertising support for 12 months. In thU case no such guarantee was asked. He only nuked that a certain number should pay 12 months in advance for the paper before h went to the trouble of printing and publishing it, and if they refust d to do that it woulu be no use logo further with it, because they would not feel sufficient interest in it audit would bo no use if they would not take a pride in it. The object of the Committee was to keep the money until the paper waproduced, so as to let the people see that it the paper was not prod used the Committee would return them the money. (Hear, hear) Mr Mundell did not think there would be ihe slightest difficulty in getting people to pay a year in advance for the paper. It was quite reasonable to ask that, as Mr Twomey would be under expense in starting, and it was necessary for him to seeuie a numbs!’ ol subscribing. Mr Davis said there waa nothing in it. If the paper did not sta-t the Committee would pay the money. If it started and failed they would get their money* back less the amount for which they had received value in the shape of p Mr Shorratt thought the thing might be .expeditedby adding to the Committee the names of gentlemen living in different parts of the district, so that they would have people to take an interest in it everywhere, and to assist in canvassing for support. The suggestion was adopted as a very good one, and about 20 members were proposed as members of the Committee, but it was thought advisable nob to publish the names until these gentlemen’s consent had been obtained. The motion was then put, and carried unanimously. Mr N. Dunlop was appointed as convener of the Committee. Mr Twomey then moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman. It was very kind of him (o come to preside that evening in this season of the y ear, when he was so busy. It showed that he was public spirited, and that he felt a deep interest in advancing the dis trial . It was a great advantage to any place to have public men in it who were ready to make saoriiices for the public good. lie congratulated them ou having so many present that evening, lie felt it a good omen that they flocked in such numbers to the meeting, as it indicated that they had some public spirit amongst them, and wherever there was anything of a public spirit there was a good chance for a newspaper. The motion was carried by acclamation. Mr Posllethwaitc, in reply, said he was always too glad to do anything that would advance the district. Mr It. Taylor a ked when it was expected that the paper would be published. Mr Twomey said ho would publish it next day if a sufficient number of subscribers had guaranteed to take it. He won d like very much to begin the new year with it. (Cheers.) Ou the motion of Mr Sattcrthwaite, a hearty vote of thanks to Mr M undell was carried for the use of the room. The meeting then terminated.