SIR GEORGE FENWICK, KT.
Advice has been received in Wellington of the death of Sir George Fenwick, Kt., for years managing director and editor of the "Otago Daily Times," who passed away at Dunedin this morning after a brief illness.
The passing of Sir George Fenwick removes from New Zealand journalism one of its ablest exponents, a pioneer who triumphed over many apparently insurmountable difficulties, and achieved great things; a forceful writer and a wise administrator whose heart was filled with human kindness and a man for whom all his associates had the highest esteem. But his life's work was not restricted to journalism alone. A true lover of his adopted country, he served in public life in many spheres; no good cause ever had to complain of his lack of active and wholehearted support; he was specially notable for his many years of unremitting labour, quietly and unostentatiously, as a member of the Prisons Board, in which capacity he helped many a fallen man to rehabilitate himself.
The late Sir George, who was in his 82nd year, was born in Sunderland, England, and in 1852 accompanied his parents to Melbourne, where they resided for three or four years. The family then removed to Dunedin, and as a lad of 12 years of age he was apprenticed to the proprietor of the "Otago Witness," then a very small sheet, published weekly, and the only newspaper in the province. He remained in the office for about seven years, learning his trade as a printer, and during this period he also served on the "Otago Daily Times," which commenced publication on 15th November, 1861, in conjunction with the "Otago Witness." In 1866, when 19 years of age, he went to Sydney, and while there received an appointment on the ''Cleveland Bay Express," Townsville, North Queensland. He had only been there for a few months, however, when, owing to the death of his mother, he returned to Dunedin. He re-entered the employment of the "Otago Daily Times" Company, and twelve months later joined Mr. James Matthews, an old office colleague, in the proprietorship of the "Tuapeka Press."
In October, 1869, the partners sold out of this venture to the proprietors of their contemporary at Lawrence, and then moved to Cromwell, where they decided to start another paper. The first issue of this journal, in an endeavour to forestall opposition that was threatened, was printed in Lawrence after the last sheets of the filial issue of the "Tuapeka Press" had been run off the machine, and at 6 o'clock on a Saturday night Mr. Fenwick started on one of the horses of the firm on a ride of 90 miles to Cromwell with 500 copies of the first issue of the "Cromwell Argus" strapped at the front of his saddle. After a few hours' rest at Miller's Flat, he resumed his journey early on the Sunday morning, and reached Cromwell at 9 o'clock that night. On the following morning, before breakfast, he had distributed the papers throughout the township and over parts of the district. Opposition came, however, but against such enterprise was successfully overcome. Then, Mr. Fenwick came to the conclusion that the "field" was too small, and he returned to Dunedin, where, in partnership with the late Mr. John Mackay (subsequently Government Printer), he commenced business as a general printer in Princess street. While thus engaged he was appointed manager of the "Otago Guardian,'' a morning newspaper. He had not held the position many months when he came to the conclusion that there was but little hope of the company ever making headway against their powerful and old-established rival, the "Otago Daily Times," and he recommended the directors to sell out, if possible, and, if not, to cease the publication of their papers, the "Guardian" and "Southern Mercury.'' The company, taking his advice, succeeded in disposing of its property to the late Mr. G. M. Reed (father of Mr. Justice Reed), who had formerly been in partnership with Mr. Henry Brett in the proprietorship of the "Auckland Star." Mr. Reed, who was a trenchant writer, and believed that he could bring the "Guardian" into a successful position through his writings, induced Mr. Fenwick to join him.
The capital of the firm, however, was far top limited to compete with a business owned by a powerful company, and the prospects of the property were looking gloomy when Mr. Fenwick startled his partner one day by suggesting that they should make an effort to buy the "Times," and he soon convinced Mr. Reed that he was thoroughly in earnest in his proposal. It being absolutely necessary to secure the good offices of some prominent citizen as negotiator, who would keep the identity of his principals undisclosed, Mr. Fenwick secured those of the late Hon. W. H. Reynolds, and, obtaining promises of the necessary capital from his own friends, negotiations proceeded which resulted in Messrs. Reed and Fenwick entering into possession of the "Otago Daily Times" and "Otago "Witness,'' with Mr. Reed as editor, and Mr. Fenwick as manager. The "Guardian," shortly afterwards, was merged in the "Times," and then the unexpected happened. Mr. Fenwick made an effort to pick a mechanical staff in fair proportions from the respective staffs of the "Times'' and '' Guardian," but the "Times" hands would not accept work under the new proprietors, unless they were all engaged. This condition the firm promptly declined to accede to, and the result was that the "Times" hands started an opposition paper — the "Morning Herald" —the price of which was one penny, as against threepence charged for the "Times." There were many sympathisers with the men, and the former directors of the "Times" Company and their friends gave the new venture all the help they possibly could. The "Herald," at its cheap price, made great headway, and the circulation of the "Times" within a short time suffered materially. Hampered with very serious financial responsibilities, for it had cost something like £30,000 to secure the "Times" property, Mr. Fenwick urged his partner to consent to the floating of a company to take over the property, and, this course being agreed upon, the result was the founding of the present "Otago Daily Times" and "Witness" Newspapers Co., Ltd., the articles of association providing that Mr. Fenwick should become managing director of the company and Mr. Reed editor of the "Times." The price of the "Times" was reduced to one penny, and finally ousted the opposition.
In 1877 Mr. Fenwick was appointed editor, as well as managing director, and he soon succeeded in elevating it into a leading position among New Zealand daily newspapers. Under his control the "Otago Daily Times," always maintaining the highest standard of British journalism, steadily increased its prestige and circulation, and spoke as a powerful voice in both national and local affairs.
Many years ago Mr. Fenwick was appointed a Justice of the Peace, and in 1919, in recognition of his many public services, both as a journalist and a citizen, he had the well-deserved honour of knighthood conferred upon him. He ceased from active journalism some years ago, but still continued to exercise a controlling influence in the affairs of the journal.
He was one of the founders of the first Press Association of New Zealand, and later of the United Press Association (the present organisation), being chairman of both bodies for many years. He made several trips to England and participating in various Press conferences there, and from its inception he was chairman of the New Zealand branch of the Empire Press Union. He was, as previously stated, a great lover of his adopted country, of its flora and fauna, and was a vice-president of the New Zealand Native Birds Protection Society. He was the founder of the Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and for many years served as a member of the Prisoners' Aid Society and of the Prisons Board.
The late Sir George Fenwick is survived by his wife and two sons and four daughters — Dr. D. Eardley Fenwick (of Wellington, who returns from Sydney to-morrow), Dr. Fenwick (of Auckland), Mrs. James (wife of the Rev. Canon James, of St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral, Wellington), Mrs. White (Timaru), Mrs. E. Haslett (Dunedin), and Miss Fenwick (Dunedin). There are several grand-children. Deep sympathy will be felt with Lady Fenwick and family in their sad bereavement.
The funeral will take place in Dunedin to-morrow. -Evening Post, 23/9/1929.
LARGE CROWD ATTENDS FUNERAL OF THE LATE SIR GEORGE FENWICK.
(Special to the “Star.”) DUNEDIN, September 24. A large concourse of leading citizens and of employees of the Otago Daily Times and Witness Company followed the remains of Sir George Fenwick to their last resting place in the Southern cemetery this morning, and but for the fact that the funeral was a private one there would have been something in the nature of a record gathering.
The service at St Paul’s Cathedral was conducted by Canon Nevill, who was assisted by the Rev W. Hardy Johnson. Mr E. Heywood was at the organ, and during the service played the “Dead March” in “Saul.”
The service at the graveside in the Southern cemetery was conducted by Canon Nevill. -Manawatu Standard, 25/9/1929.
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