LONG LIFE ENDED

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 253, 24 September 1929, Page 3

LONG LIFE ENDED

LATE SIR GEORGE FENWICK. DUNEDIN, Sept. 24. Sir George Ecu wick, managing-edi-tor of the Otago Daily Times, who passed away at Dunedin yesterday in his 83rd year, had spent a long and useful life. For several months past he had suffered from a form of rheumatic trouble, and when about a fortnight ago, he contracted a chill he was compelled to take to his bed. A local inflammation and other symptoms supervened, and, weakened by the condition which had previously developed, Sir George gradually sank until ho died from exhaustion. While he was a partner in the 'firm of Mackay and Fenwick, general printers, in Dunedin many years ago, a chance w r as offered to Mr Fenwick by the seizure of which the current of his life energy was directed into a wider channel. The circumstances of his selection from amongst a number of applicants for the position of manager of the Otago Guardian proved but the step-ping-stone to greater things. It may be taken for granted that when the company which owned the Otago Guardian appointed Mr Fenwick as manager of their paper certain considerations bulked largely in their decision. In the first place, he was a practical printer with a working acquaintance of all branches of the trade. Secondly, he had shown himself possessed of good business sense,, sound judgment, and remarkable energy. While all these qualities were shortly to be called into play in the carrying out of a notable career, there was also lyine latent a literary gift which presently had free scope during his editorship of the Otago Dailv Times. EDITORIAL DISTINCTION. The deceased gentleman controlled the editorial side of the paper with distinction until 20 years ago, when the editorship of the Otago Daily Times passed to Mr James Hutchinson, the present editor. Without flattery it may be claimed that during his close upon 20 years’ editorship of the Otago Daily Times Sir George Fenwick met the multifarious demands of the position with signal success. There were many occasions when, as editor, he was called upon to decide on matters of a difficult and delicate nature.

While Sir George Fenwick displayed sound jndgment in the editorial control of the Daily Times, lie had that instinct for news that distinguishes the real newspaper man —a keenness to be first in the field that remained with him throughout his life. When getting on the track of an exclusive item of intelligence Sir George exhibited all the ardour of a junior reporter when making his first “scoop,’ asseverating the tvhile that he still regarded himself as a member of the literary staff of the paper. Sir George Fenwick was on several occasions urged to take a prominent part in political and municipal life. During the time when he occupied the editorial chair of the Otago Daily Times he received requests on several occasions to allow himself to be nominated for one or other of the Dunedin seats in the House of Representatives. Although confessing to a leaning towards political life, his invariable attitude was that to embark on the sea of politics would be incompatible with the occupancy of the position of editor of the Daily Times. In like manner he considered that his connection with the journalistic of the city precluded him from standing for the mayoralty, despite strong influence which was brought to bear on him to contest that office on at least two separate occasions. Moreover, he firmly held the opinion that, unless the circumstances were very exceptional, those who had served the public as councillors had first claim to the mayoral chair. ALURT AND THOROUGH.

A very striking exhibition of Sir George Fenwick's alertness and thoroughness occurred in connection with the relief expedition to Shackleton's Antarctic exploration. 'The London Daily Chronicle had entered into an arrangement with Sir Ernest Shackleton lor first publication of all the reports in connection with the expedition organised in iyi4 for the crossing of Antarctica from. Weddell Sea to iCoss Sea via the South Hole. When it was known that the relief ship Aurora was due in Dunedin m April, 1916, the Daily Chronicle proprietary cabled to Sir George Fenwick to protect their interests—a by no means easy task. On receipt of tire information that the Aurora had been si"hted, Sir George proceeded to Port Chalmers, and, hiring a launch, he was able not only to forestall the efforts of other enterprising journalists to secure any news, but, being the first civilian to board the Aurora he wrote from information given by the captain an exclusive account. running into 40u0 words, while the vessel was coming up to the wharf. This was immediately put upon the wires and cabled to England, and the Daily Chronicle’s copyright was adequately safeguarded. CAPACITY FOR WORK. His capacity for work always astonished thoso who were privileged to bo in close association with him. His editorial duties compelled continual late nights, yet he was always present in his office’ at the usual hour next morning. Nor did his business responsibilities and editorial duties absorb ail his energies. An ardent Nature-lover, he had profound faith in the health-giving properties of the open air. He was a keen horticulturist, and looked upon gardening as an ideal recreation, and as one of the best means by which a person might maintain physical fitness. For many years he made a practice of taking Jong walks, and on the comparatively rare occasions when he allowed himself a fortnight’s holiday, he made excursions into many of the more remote regions of Otago, and other little-visited tracts of the Dominion. AVhen in 1909 Mr Femvick paid a visit to England as one of the delegates to the Imperial Press Conference, He was chosen as chairman of the New Zealand delegation. Similarly, when during the war, in 1918, he visited Great Britain and France as one of the Press representatives of the Dominion. on the invitation of the Imperial Government, he was chosen as chairman of the delegation. With the other delegates, he had the honour of being presented to Their Majesties the King and Queen at Windsor Castle. On the occasion of- that visit he was privileged also to make the acquaintance "of many of the prominent public men of the United Kindom, while in France he met the late Field-Marshal Haig, Generals Lawrence, Horne and Russell, Lord Derby, M. Poincare, M. Clemenceau and other world celebrities. As a fitting crown to a long and honourable career came in 1919 the bestowal direct from tlie Imperial Government, but with the cordial approval of the Prime Minister of New Zealand, of the honour of knighthood. On the occasion of the Royal visit to New Zealand in 1920, the distinction was personally bestowed by the Prince'of Wales in the manner officially described. Sir George Fenwick was married iii 1874 to Miss Proudfoot, a daughter of Mr David Proudfoot, who was a wellknown contractor in Dunedin. Lady Fenwick survives him, together with a family of two sons and four daugh-

ters—Mr D. Eardley Fenwick (of Wellington, who will return from Sydney to-day). Dr G. Fenwick (of Auckland), Mrs James (wife of Rev. Canon James, of St. Paul’s • Pro-Cathedral, Wellington), Mrs W. White (Timaru), Mrs E. C. Haslett (Dunedin), and Miss Fenwick (Dunedin). There are several grandchildren. Deep sympathy will be felt with Lady Femvick and family in their sad bereavement.