NEWSPAPERS
being to stand at street corners, ring a bell, and call out news and special announcements. The newspaper proprietors did not object; for one reason it saved the labour of printing and distributing “extras” between issues; but strenuous opposition was offered to the crying of matters in the nature of advertisements. In early times, as now, efforts were made to make advertisements distinctive; they cost 5/- per inch. The following example is taken from the Charleston Herald of October, 1873: “HAIRDRESSING BY MACHINERY—Professor Strachan, Physiognomic Operator and Professor of Tonsorial Art, Palmerston Street, Westport.” It may be observed that the trade of barbers’ establishments was, in those days, almost entirely confined to hairdressing; few men shaved, the ’seventies were “beaver time” on the Coast.
Westport Times and Buller Express. This was the first newspaper published in the Westport-Charleston district, being established by Messrs. J. L. Munson and John Tyrrell on 22nd December, 1866, at Molesworth Street in the old township of Westport, on a site near to where the cattle-wharf now stands. The first editor was Mr. Hawken, succeeded by Mr. Ings. Mr. Tyrrell had previously been associated with the West Coast Times at Hokitika. Early in 1867 this firm established the Charleston Argus at Charleston, but disposed of it late in the same year.
In 1867 or 1868 the name of the Westport paper was altered to Westport Times and Charleston Argus, but, upon protest from the Charleston paper, soon dropped the latter portion of the new name. In August, 1868, Munson and Tyrrell dissolved partnership, and Bain and Tyrrell became publishers of the paper. Later in the same year Bain retired; Tyrrell became publisher and Reid & Co. proprietors. Later Mr. Tyrrell assumed full control. The premises were destroyed by fire in 1870 together with, apparently, the record files of the paper. Files of 1868 and 1869 are preserved at the General Assembly Library at Wellington. In 1873 the office was transferred to the present premises of the Westport Times, now Buller Times, in Palmerston Street in the new township.
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