THE LATE MR PAYTON.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10030, 2 July 1910, Page 4

THE LATE MR PAYTON.

Although not unexpected, the news, when it became known yesterday, that Mr Joseph Payton, who for so many years past has been proprietor and editor of our local contemporary, had paid the final triDute to Nature, > which every one of U3 must render, caused a painful shock. There was no one more respected, or whose figure was more familiar in the community than thst of the deceased gentleman. The late Mr Payton has been well described as "the veteran journalist of the Wairarapa," and it is fitting to mention here that he was, dearly forty yeais ago, in partnership with the late Mr Richard Wakelin,, of Greytown, commonly known as the Father of New Zealand journalism. Throughout the many years which the late Mr Payton ably performed the duties of a journalist, he displayed both fearlessness and a remarkable degree of fortitude. Despite the fact that he was the unfortunate victim of illhealth, he remained "in harness" almost to the very last, his quiet courage and wonderful patience commanding the deep respect of the whole community. The late gentlen an adhered most steadfastly to the high conceptions which he had of the duties of a journalist, and ever maintained an excellent tone in the paper which he edited. Of a philosophic disposition, and a man of independent character, he was not a journalist of the party politician stamp. He held strong on various political qae3tiona, and was incapable of dpicg other than expressing them in a fearless and fair manner. As we have said, he was incapable, and let it be said that, greatiy to his credit, he never attempted to mould his views to fit in with those of any swashbuckling politician of the hour, whose wordy utterances might be gaining in public favour as a panacea for all tne ills from which the country might be suffering. The expression of truth, of common sense, ard lofty sentiment, were the objects at which he aimed in the leading columns of his journal, and he, undoubtedly, exercised a great influence for good in the community generally. It is with feelings of sincere regret that we record the removal from our midst of the late Mr Payton.