Higher Standard Attained.

We now come to two papers much superior in standard to those that we have so far referred to. Dr. Martin, after his connection with the “Herald” had been severed, became indignant and took steps to secure another press and a supply of type. On 22nd April, 1843, there appeared the “Southern Cross, New Zealand Guardian, and Auckland, Thames and Bay of Islands Advertiser.” Its proprietor was Mr. William Brown, the partner of Dr. (afterwards Sir) John Logan Campbell. The name, or at least the first portion, by which the paper became known, was suggested by Dr. Campbell while sitting with his partner in his home, “Acacia Cottage,” from the name of an hotel in Adelaide at which he had stayed a year or two previously.

In 1844, Mr. Brown, accompanied by Dr. Martin, left on a visit to England and Dr. Campbell was left in charge of the paper. The loss on it was so great that he ceased publication in April of the following year. Upon Mr. Brown's return to the colony in July, 1847, the paper was revived and was destined to become the first daily newspaper in the Auckland province. The initial issue of the “Daily Southern Cross” appeared on 20th May, 1862. The paper was shortly afterwards sold to Sir Julius Vogel and his company. The amount which Mr. Brown is said to have lost in connection with the paper is £10,000. The “Daily Southern Cross” continued to be published regularly until the end of 1876, when it was purchased by Mr. A. G. Horton and amalgamated with the “New Zealand Herald,” the city's present morning journal. Dr. Martin did not return to the colony.

The other paper which showed that a higher standard of journalism had been atttained in the colony was the “New Zealander,” which commenced as a weekly, priced sixpence, on 7th June, 1845, just after the temporary cessation of the “Southern Cross.” It was owned by Mr. John Williamson, who was later to enter into partnership with Mr. W. C. Wilson. By 1859 the “New Zealander” had become the leading newspaper in the colony. The list of its many noted editors and contributors include the names of Dr. Bennett, the father of the present Bishop Bennett, Dr. D. Pollen, who in 1875 became Premier, the Rev. T. S. Forsaith, of “clean shirt ministry” fame, Dr. R. B. Kidd, the first headmaster of the Auckland Grammar School, Sir John Gorst, and Dr. J. Giles, who until his death a few years ago was a frequent contributor to the correspondence columns of the “New Zealand Herald.” The “New Zealander” was issued as a daily on 1st January, 1863, and the same year Messrs. Williamson and Wilson dissolved partnership, and Mr. Williamson carried on the paper, with Mr. G. M. Main as printer and publisher. Later Messrs. Mitchell and Seffern took it over, and on 3rd April, 1865, brought it out as the first penny newspaper in New Zealand. At the end of the same year the paper was transferred back to Mr. Williamson, who reduced its issues to two a week, and the following year it ceased publication.