OBITUARY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 177, 28 June 1937, Page 6

OBITUARY

:mr N. H. NASH. A link with journalism and other branches of the newspaper business extending over fifty years Avas severed by the death early yesteiday morning of Mr Norman Henry Nash, managingdirector and editor of the “Manawatu Evening Standard.” Mr Nash, who had not enjoyed good health since undergoing a very severe operation eighteen months ago, Avas taken ill recently, but he had made a good recovery and Avas able to attend to his business interests -when he suffered a serious relapse on Saturday afternoon and, despite the best of medical care and attention, passed away tAvelvc hours later. The sudden nature of his final illness caused a painful shock to his family and to a large circle of friends. Born on the goldfields near BraidAvood, New South Wales, 71 years ago, Mr Nash was the eldest son of the late Mr Norman Nash and of Mrs A. E. Nash, who is living in retirement in Wellington and has reached the advanced age of 92 years. His mother settled as a girl in T'oxton nearly eighty years ago, and after her marriage lived Avith her husband on his farm at Piaka, above Whirokino, on the banks of the Manawatu River. Anxious times Avith the Maoris, especially the tanatic Hau Hams, ivho in one raid doAvn the coast pitched their camp three-quarters of a mile from Mr Nash’s iarm, influenced the family, together Avith a desire to join relatives, to leaA'e for New South Wales, taking up their resilience oil the goldfields near BraidAVood, where the eldest son was born. Life in New- Zealand again attracted Mr Nash’s parents, who Avith their children returned to Koxton. Losing his father Avlien he Avas only a mere youth, the deceased gentleman commenced Avork on the ManaAvatu Herald, Avhich Avas then owned by Mr G. W. Russell, who afterwards became a Avell kuoAvn politician and Cabinet Minister. Coming to Palmerston North Avlien Mr Russell acquired the Manawatu Times, Mr Nash joined the composing staff of this journal. Subsequently, he decided to take up ivork in Wellington and at various periods Avas engaged by the Evening Press and Catholic Times, papers Avhich are remembered only by very old members of the neAvspaper business. For a brief while he Avas also on the Evening Post. He then returned to the ManaAvatu Times Avhich Avas conducted by Mr W. H, Smith, one of the best-knoAvn figures in journalism on this coast. Attracted by the literary side of newspaper Avork Mr Nash joined the late Mr Alexander McMinn on the “Manawatu Standard,” a newspaper that be was destined in later years to edit and manage with success that was inherent in his life. In subsequent years he again joined the staff of the Manawatu Times under the late Mr J. R. Russell, and was engaged in sub-edi-torial work on this journal when, in 1901. Avith Mr J. Coornbe, then of Feilding and now of Wellington, he purchased the Bush Advocate of Dannevirke from the late Mr David Curie, in the brief period of tAvo years in which this partnership owned this journal neAV and commodious premises were built in High Street and a modern printing plant for those days was installed. In 1903 Messrs Nash and Coornbe acquired the “ManaAvatu Standard” from the late Messrs Fred and David Pirani, and with the growth of the business premises were bought on the site of the present modern structure Avhich Mr Nash had long planned and Avhich he lived to see built. Two years ago last March Mi Coombe’s interest in the “Standard’ was purchased bv Mr Nash, who lor some time then bad been managing director as Avell as editor of the journal. Under their guidance the “Stan dard” had become a leading provincial newspaper and an active force in the advancement of Palmerston North. The soundness of Mr Nash’s early training and marked ability in liis profession were shoirn in the editorial sphere and also in his management. Apart from his brief residence else where Mr Nash had lived in Palmerston North for a very lengthy period, and he w itnessed the transformation o. the district from its virgin state ana the city from its small toivnship to the prosperity they enjoy to-day. Alto gether lie had spent 66 years in the newspaper work, and nearly 50 in Palmerston North. Keenly interested in financial concerns, he was a director ol the Manawatu Permanent Equitable Building and Investment Society and of the Midland Trust Loan and Deposit Company. For several years he was a member of the Terrace Ena School Committee, and besides being a devoted adherent of St. Peter’s Anglican Church also served on its vestry. Mr Nash was also patron of the Old Boys’ Football Club, an office he had held for a considerable time. In the earlier days when the Palmerston North Eire Brigade' had a circulating library ho was its librarian, while he also was official reporter for the United Fire Brigades Association conferences over a long period of years, his work at its conclusion on his resignation being marked by spontaneous tributes and an illuminated address. As a member of the original Palmerston North Debating Society he took a keen interest in its debates, when contests were held regularly ivith other strong clubs in the city. Mr Naish was widely known as a bowler. A member of the Palmerston North Club for a very lengthy period, he was proficient in a.ll departments of the game. He was a member of the chib’s rink which Avon the Dominion championship banner at Auckland in 1915, the others being Messrs J. A. Nash E. S. Dixon and the late Mr F. J. Tasker. He also Avas a member of Mr E. J. Hill’s Wellington Club rink which won the Rotorua tournament seA-eral years ago, Mr Nash being a member of this club. He also participated Avith success in the Manawatu Centre’s Easter rinks tournament and with the late Mr W. J. Jolly Avon the centre’s champion of champions pairs tournament. As delegate he represented for a number of years the Pa.hiatua Club and later the Palmerston North Club on the Manawatu Centre. Mr Nash was married to Miss Annie Howes 49 years ago, and besides hi 6 widow lie leai-es surviving .a family of three sons —Messrs N. A. Nash, J. H. Nash and G. M. Nash (Palmerston North) —and six daughters—Mesdames C. A. Dixon, W. H. McPhail, A. B. Mclvegg (Palmerston North), L. G. Millward (Kairanga). I. A. Pearce (Lower Hutt) and Miss Nancy Nash (Palmerston North). Besides his mothei Mr Nash also leaves three brothers — Messrs J. A. Nash and C. P. Nosh (Palmerston North) and Mr E. J. Nash (Wellington).