EARLY NEWSPAPERDOM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 April 1938, Page 6

EARLY NEWSPAPERDOM

MR ARTHUR VILE’S MEMORIES. (To the Editor.) • Sir, —The story of Wairarapa newspaperdom, as given in your issue of April 1, makes interesting reading. The picture of the “Wairarapa Daily” staff at the top of Page 7 was taken about fifty-five years ago. It was a mistake to include Alf. McKain in the staff. The name of Thomas Blinkhorne should have appeared in its stead. It was from this staff, with Tom Blinkhorne as captain and myself as secretary, that the Red Star Football Club was originally formed. Of those who served their apprenticeship with the late Mr Joseph Payton in the early ’eighties, few are now living. Pierce Freeth, who became editor of the “N.Z. Times” and various other newspapers, died a few years back. His son, Hugo Freeth, is now editor of the Christchurch “Press.” Alex Baillie, for whom a very bright future was promised when he became editor of the “Pahiatua Herald,” came to a .pathetic, end. Alf. Gardner died recently at Hawera, but his elder brother Fred is still living at Perth (Western Australia), where he made his home many years ago. Tom Blinkhorne died in Sydney, and William Hounslow, who was one of the smartest compositors in the Dominion, is numbered among the deceased. His brothei- Charlie, who went from the case to the linotype, retired from the “Evening Post” some years ago, and now resides in Wellington. George Nicol, one of the youngest of the apprentices in those days, has for years been part-proprietor of the “Marlborough Press” and, like myself, is still going strong. The foreman printer, William McKenzie, who was a prominent member of the Masterton Football Club, has been resident in Palmerston North for many years. Arthur Copping received his first instruction in journalism under the late Mr. Joseph Payton. and went on to become editor of the now defunct Stratford “Post.” a position he held for about a quarter of a century. Bob Carpenter, who became editor of the Pahiatua “Herald” and Waipukurau “Press." served his apprenticeship in the office of the “Wairarapa Daily Times.” while T. R. Roydhouse, who was for a considerable time editor of a Sydney paper and L. C. Woolcott, a successful Australian journalist, graduated in this office, as did Sid. Wickerson, who also became editor of a New South Wales paper. In later years Arthur Wise and J. B. Rue, also products of the "Daily Times.” became prominent figures in Melbourne journalism. The "Star” and "Age” offices were responsible for the turning out of Harry Taperell, who afterwards became editor of the “N.Z. Times” and leader writer on a Sydney paper; Alf. McKain. later editormanager of the Adelaide "Critic:” Frank Hodge, for some time editor of the "Hawke’s Bay Herald;” Eric Ramsden. who has for some time past been prominent in Sydney journalism, and several others who have distinguished themselves with the pen. Masterton, in its time, has probably produced a larger number of successful journalists than any provincial town in the Dominion. It also produced one of the most successful advertising agents in Mr. Charles Haines, who received his first insight into newspaper work in the office of the "Wairarapa Daily.” It was he who. having the power of attorney during the absence of the late Mr Joseph Payton in England in 1890. changed the name of the paper to the "Wairarapa Daily Times.” ■—l am. etc.. ARTHUR H. VILE. New Plymouth, April 6.