The Late Mr G.M. Reed's Funeral.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 7367, 15 November 1898, Page 4

The Late Mr G.M. Reed's Funeral.

(by telegbaph. ) Auokland, November 14. [The late Mr 6. M. Reed's funeral was largely attended. Wreaths from the pro- - prietors and literary Btaff of the Herald, Star and Observer, the Auckland branch of the Kew Zealand Journalists 5 Institute, Prohibition League, and a beautiful floral cio3s jointly from all the women's organisations of the city were sent. Telegrams of condolence were received by the family from southern journalists, eta [Mr George M'Cullough Reed, who died suddenly in Auckland on Sunday, was a well known man, not only in this colony, but nlgf> In Australia. More than a quarter of a century ago—a retired Presbyterian clergyman and a politician—he arrived in Auckland from Queensland, and started the Star newspaper, of which he was for several years the editor, as well as half proprietor as partner with Mr Henry Brett. She paper, aB is a matter of notoriety, progressed by leaps and bounds, and is to-day one of ihe most lucrative journalistic properties in the colony. But Mr Reed having come to the south to exploit the Evening News in Dnnedin, in association with Mr G. J ones, now proprietor of the Mail, and the News having been a commercial failure, in spite of the conspicuous ability of its editor, Mr Reed purchased the Guardian, in which a fortune had already been sunk and which was then a declining concern, and sold his interest in the Star to Mr Brett. It was not long before the Guardian passed over to the . ' ijority, and, the Otago Daily Times proprietaiy having changed, Mr Reed became a shareholder in the concern and its editor, Mr George Fenwick, also a shareholder, ar.d who had been associated with Mr Reed in the Guardian up to the time of its demise, becoming its managing director. There are many in Dunedin, and, indeed, in other parts of Otago, who will remember how the Times then emerged from its gloom into a brighter existence. But, doomed to change, Mr Keed, having surrendered pen to Mr Ashcroft, after less than than three years 1 editorship of the Times, in 1878, accepted the position of emigration agent in London for the colony. Within a space of two or three years we find him again immersed in journalism—this time as editor of the AngloAustralasian, a monthly newspaper for colonial readers. Returning to Auckland, he accepted a position on the New Zealand Herald, on which paper, as the writer of the column " Calamo Currente" he fully sustained his fame for literary incisiveness and delightfully playful badinage. Bis journalistic experience had not, however, by any means come to an end. Having been appointed editor of the Melbourne Standard, he took up his residence in the Marvellous City. Like most other company papers, where there is no single guiding spirit, the Standard cost a mint of money to no purpose. If we remember rightly, Mr Reed and his family then paid another visit to the Old Country, and, returning to Australia, he took up thepositionof a leader writer to tthe fcydney Morning Herald. He had, however, always an affection for New Zealand, and Auckland in particular; and he next became a leader writer on the New Zealand Herald, which position he held till the time of his death. At one time during his journalistic career Mr Reed also edited the New Zealander at Wellington; but it is difficult to remember all the events of his life in proper sequence. The deceased gentleman was born in Monaghan, Ireland, 65 years ago, and his varied natural gifts were enhanced by a liberal education. For some time in the early days he was Provincial Treasurer of Auckland, and. a good speaker as well as writer, he was able to hold his own, and, though he never entered the larger Parliamentary arena, he very nearly did, when he opposed Mr La wry, as he reminded the writer at nearly the close of the ssssion just over during a talk over old times. But it is not always the best men who get into Parliament, and, perhaps, Mr Reed was too outspoken to win favor with the thoughtless. Whilst he was the relentless enemy of deceit and corruption, he was a warm and faithful friend of advanced ideas, and always willingly gave advice and help to younger journalists. Mr Reed was a good and clever man and if he had been endowed with concentrativeness he would have been a great man. He possessed an abnormal share of the impetuosity and generosity of his countrymen, which attributes, while often militating against his own interests, made a valuable and pleasant companion of a loyal friend. We greatly regret the untimely death of such a man, and feel the sinceres; sympathy with those whom he has left behind in their loss of such a husband and father.]