OBITUARY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 December 1939, Page 8

OBITUARY

?AR W. F. ROYDHOUSE, J.P. VETERAN JOURNALIST. ASSOCIATION WITH DISTRICT’S PIONEER PAPERS. The death occurred at Carterton last night of Mr William Francis Roydhouse, J.P., at the age of 83 years, a veteran journalist and newspaper proprietor of the Wairarapa. The late Mr Roydhouse had been associated with newpaper enterprise in the Wairarapa for tfte past GO years, and was held in high respect for his many sterling qualities. He passed away peacefully last night at 6.55 o’clock.

Born in London in 1856. Mr Roydhouse came to New Zealand in 1868 with his parents, his father. an electrician. being under engagement with the New Zealand Telegraph Department. After living some time in Wellington, the family settled in Greytown, where Mr Roydhouse commenced his career as printer and journalist on the "Mercury.” the Wairarapa's pioneer newspaper. founded by Messrs Edward and Charles Grigg, and afterwards owned by the late Mr A. K. Arnot. On Mr Arnot's death, the widely experienced English and New Zealand journalist, Mr Richard Wakelin, took over the “Mercury,” and changed its name to the "Standard," Mr Roydhouse remaining with him. Mi- Wakelin was later joined by his son-in-law. Mr Joseph Payton, in a partnership, which proved a prosperous one. through the good business management of the latter and the able writing of the former. Mr Payton. who had been master of the Pahautanui School, was also a versatile worker with high literary abilities. About 1878 the partnership was dissolved. and Mr Payton induced Mr Roydhouse. who had become printer and publisher of the “Standard,” to join him in the purchase of a tri-weekly newspaper, "The Free Press." at Masterton. The "Free Press" was the successor to the "News." the first newspaper to be established in Masterton, and the "Newsletter" started in opposition to it by Mr Martin Rockell. It is noteworthy that the founders of the Masterton "News," Messrs O'Meara and Smith, had both been connected with the "Mercury" and the "Standard.” It is further somewhat remarkable that the three boys connected with these papers each bore the first name of William (the three "Wills”) and each became journalists and newspaper owners. Strangely, both the

"News” and "Newsletter" were at different times burnt down, and the ultimate result was an amalgamation of interests and the appearance of "The Free Press.” which Messrs Payton and Roydhouse acquired, and soon converted into the "Wairarapa Daily,” the first daily newspaper in the district. The partnership was a happy and prosperous one. but after a few years Mr Roydhouse. young, full of energy and enterprise, desired a wider field for the expanse of these qualities, separated from his old friend and partner. Mr Payton, and in 1884, founded the “Evening Press" at Wellington, which had an immediate success, and soon became very popular. About a year later he was joined by Mr Edward Wakefield, then M.H.R. for Geraldine, and one of the most brilliant writers and speakers in New Zealand. The partnership continued foi- some years and prospered, the printing, lithographing and engraving business of the late Mr James Hughes being purchased and added to the newspaper activities. The additional plan enab-

led other popular features of the “Press” to be added to by the issue of cartoons and the printing of illustrations with the reading matter. Probably the “Press" was the first paper in New Zealand to use this attraction, now so common in all leading journals. Later ort; family affairs caused Mr Wakefield' to leave for England. He did not return and Mr Roydhouse was left to carry on single-handed, editing the paper, keeping up its special features, and managing the now varied and extensive business. Although ably supported by a loyal and efficient staff, tire strain became too great, his health began to suffer, and. finally, he disposed of the whole business to a company and retired to the Wairarapa, where he purchased in 1893 from Mr W. C. Nation the newspaper at Greytown on which he had begun his career as a boy.

While in Wellington he was one of the founders of the New Zealand Institute of Journalists, of which he was later made a life member. He restored the "Standard” to much of its original progressiveness, but the land, now having a strong attraction for him. he, after three or four years, i advantageously disposed of the "Stan- | dard,” to Messrs J. R. and G. W. Nicol. I Mr W. A.. Varnham had been associated with him on the "Standard." and to-' gether they bought a farm at Kahu-I tara. Here he enjoyed his changed mode of life, and did well, but a phenomenal series of floods discouraged Mr Varnham, who sold his interest in Ihe farm to Mr Roydhouse, who carried on. but later parted with the pronet ty and purchased another at Gladstone. a drier locality. Hero, ho was again quite happy, and look an active interest in Churcr; woric both Anglican and Presbyterian, which held alternate services, and in al! the social activities

in the district. He was not fated io re main a farmer, however, much as hi liked the occupation, as the slump o 190.3. somewhat similar as regards far ming io that which the country passer through in 1920-193(1, came along, am he decided to look, for somethin;; else He went back to journalism ar?.l pur chased the "Observer” in Carterton from the late Mr James Brown, wh( had bought it from Mr W. McKenzie formerly one of the "Mercury” boys There was then another newspaper it Carterton, the "Leader," ably conducted by the late Mr J. T. M. Hornsby and there was a great rivalry betweci the two. Ultimately in 1906 there was an amalgamation. The result, was a partnership between Mr Hornsby’s son Marryatt, and Mr Roydhouse, and the conversion of the two papers into the "Daily News.” This partnership was dissolved by Mr Hornsby taking up the practice of the I,aw. He was, Mr Roydhouse recorded, most amiable to work with and of many fine qualities. He became Mayor of Carterton and unfortunately died at the commencement of what would undoubtedly have been a brilliant career. His position on the "Daily News” was taken by Mr Roydhouse’s son. R. W. Roydhouse, the business being carried on under the title of Roydhouse and Son ever since. Mr Roydhouse took great interest in educational matters. He was for some time a member of the Greytown School Committee was instrumental, with the late Mr W. E. Bidwill. 0.8. E. <whgave (he site), in securing the school for Kahulara and in Gladstone was a

member and secretary of the School Committee, and, with his colleagues (the late Mi- John Strang being chairman) was able to obtain considerable improvements to the school. Mi- Roydhouse, from his earliest days, was much interested in athletics, swimming, etc, and, with the other two boys of the "Mercury," started at Greytown probably the first gymnasium in the Wairarapa. The exercises were first held in a clearing among the trees and stumps in an open paddock, where the necessary paraphernalia was erected. the trapezes being sung on tree branches, and the horizontal and parallel bars on posts sunk into the ground. Afterwards, the boys, including the, O’Connors Beards, Braggins, Humphries, and other well-known names, secured the old Town Hall and enjoyed trapeze work, including flying trapeze (from the back of a gallery to the fatend o[ the stage), acrobatics, fencing, boxing, etc, to their great enjoyment and ultimate benefit. Mr Roydhouse was secretary, treasurer and handicapper to the first Masterton Swimming Club, end when al. Gladstone, secretary and treasurer of the Sports Club there, i

The late Mr Roydhouse was made a Freemason in the Masterton Lodge in 1882, serving as secretary and J.W.. and in Wellington was S.W. and then W.M. of the Wellington Lodge. As a P.M. he was a member of St Mark's Lodge, Carterton, for many years. He was a foundation member of lhe Stonehenge Lodge of Druids, at Masterton. and held several offices, and a member of the Loyal Masterton Lodge of Oddfellows, in which he also held some minor positions. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1908. He was a keen bowler, and ex-President of the Carterton Club, in which he also held other offices. The late Mr Roydhouse married a daughter of the late. Mr and Mrs S. Maxton, who were among the earliest pioneer settlers of Port Nicholson. Mrs Roydhouse died in 1926. He is survived by three sons and three daughters: Messrs F. W. Roydhouse, of Wanganui. R. W. Roydhouse. of Carterton, and A. P. Roydhouse, of Dunedin: and Mesdames A. ,1.1 Cooper, of Masterton. Howard E. Jackson. of Carterion, and Miss E. Roydhouse. of Wellington. There are 221 grandchildren (18 of them boys, most of | them grown up) and three great-grand-children. The funeral is timed to leave for the Clareville Cemetery tomorrow after a service at the house at. 12.45 p.m.