AN EXTENDED CAREER.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 April 1938, Page 7

AN EXTENDED CAREER.

HISTORY OF THE “STAR” AND “AGE.” FOUNDATION OF THE PAPER IN 1881. STAGES IN DEVELOPMENT. Established in 1881 by Mr. Joseph Ivess, then of Ashburton, the “Wairarapa Star,” which later became the “Wairarapa Age,” was first printed, as a four-page evening paper, in a building standing on the western side of Queen Street, a little way north of the Worksop Road intersection. The structure had earlier been occupied as a bootmaker’s shop. Mr. A. W. Hogg, later a member of Parliament and a Cabinet Minister, was editor of the “Star,” and Mr. J. J. Smith was printer. The late Mr. Walter Perry had a shop next door to the “Star” building, and it was he who turned the handle of the press for the production of the first sheet of the new, evening paper. With the assistance of the late Mr. A. W. Renall, Messrs. Smith and Hogg later acquired the paper, and their partnership continued for eleven years.

Politics no doubt had a good deal to do with the birth of the “Star.” Party feeling between the Liberals and Conservatives ran high in those days.

Mr. A. W. Hogg arrived'in New Zealand in 1878, and before coming to Masterton gained journalistic experience in Dunedin, Ashburton and Timaru. Journalism and politics were the breath of life to Mr. Hogg, and in him the “Star” had an enterprising and able editor who never shrank from the hurly-burly of political combat. Mr. J. J. Smith, Mr. Hogg's partner, arrived in New Zealand in 18(14. and was apprenticed to Mr. A. K. Arnot, of the “Wairarapa Mercury,” Greytown, the first paper established in the Wairarapa. The paper was given the new name of "Standard'' when it was taken over by IVIr. R. Wakelin. who was later joined in partnership by Mr. J. Payton. After having been editor of the “Star” for a number of years, Mr. Hogg set out to capture the Masterton seat. He was defeated in his first campaign, but three years later, in 1890, was elected to the House of Representatives. Ac that time Messrs. Smith and Hogg were proprietors, not only of the “Wairarapa Star.” but of the “Weekly Star and South Wairarapa Advocate” and the "Pahiatua Mail.” In 1892. the “Wairarapa Star” was acquired by Mr. W. C. Cargill, who I also became editor. In conjunction i with the “Star," Mr. Cargill published I the “Eketahuna and Pahiatua Mail" and the “Weekly Star.’

MR. A. C. MAJOR TAKES OVER. Ten years later, in 1902, Mr. A. C. Major, who had seen service on the “New Zealand Herald,” the “Wairarapa Daily Times” and “Wairarapa Observer,” joined Mr. Cargill as a partner. The idea behind the partnership was to convert the “Star,” which had been running for twenty' years as an evening paper, into a morning paper. Arrangements to that end were completed, and the first issue of the “Wairarapa Age” appeared on the morning of April 14, 1902. In the same year, Mr. Major purchased Mr. Cargill’s interest in the '‘Age”' and the “Weekly Star,” and became sole prioprietor and editor. Then housed in premises at “The Star Corner,” now occupied by Mi- J'. Ninnes, the “Age” a few years later moved to ■the building in Hall Street in which it was housed for the rest of its career — a property leased from the Trust Lands Trust.

In 1908 a private company was formed to carry on the “Age,” Mr. Major retaining a controlling interest. In 1910, Mr. Major gave up journalism for the law, and disposed of his interest to Mr. James Brown, an old Wairarapa journalist who had earlier been subeditor of the “Daily Times” and editor and manager of the “Wairarapa Observer,” Carterton. A later, Mr. Arthur Vile, with a lifetime of newspaper experience, was appointed editor, a position he held for about eleven years, including the war period. The first linotype machine to come into the Wairarapa was installed by the “Age” in 1910, a second machine being added in the following year. A DISASTROUS FIRE. On the death of Mr. James Brown, his son, Mr. E. J. Brown, who had then been bn the staff of the paper for ten years, was appointed managingdirector. In 1918 a disastrous fire occurred in the ■■Age” building, valuable machinery and paper stocks being destroyed. Through the courtesy of the proprietors of the “Daily Times.” the “Age” Company was able to carry on publication without a break, but it was several weeks before operations could be resumed in its own building. In common with other newspapers, the "Age" experienced many difficulties during the Great War. notably brt account of the shortage of newsprint. At times there was only sufficient paper in sight for the next , day’s issue. During Mr. E. J. Brown's j absence at the front, the paper was ( published by his sister, Miss M. A. Brown.

An earthquake on March 5. 1934, considerably, damaged the "Age” building, and the reconstruction of the front wall and other walls, the strengthening of the building throughout with steel work and other repairs, were carried out by the Trust Lands Trust. The production of the paper was continued in the building without interruption after the damage had occurred and while repairs were in progress. In 1921. the "Age" firm was reconstructed into a larger company, with Mr. G. 11. Perry as chairman of directors and Dr. G. 11. Scholefield as editor.

Mr. E. J. Brown retaining his former position as managing director. On the resignation of Dr. Scholefield to take up the position of Chief Parliamentary Librarian, Mr. W. A. Michael, who for a number of years had been leaderwriter on the “Dominion,” was appointed editor of the “Age.” Owing to health ' reasons, Mr. G.' H. Perry was compelled to relinquish the position of chairman of directors about two years ago. He was succeeded by Mr. Albert McDonald, who had been a member of the board of directors for seventeen years.