Intelligence reached us on Saturday (14th July) of the death at Greytown of Mr Samuel Revans, the oldest journalist in the colony, and also, there is reason to believe, the oldest newspaper writer in Australasia, for Mr Revans, who died last week at the age of 80 years, was the editor of a newspaper in Canada some years before he attained his 30th year. We have been unable to ascertain exactly the birthplace of Mr Revans, or what pursuit he followed till we hear of him in Canada about 1834, where in the City of Quebec he became acquainted with the late Mr Justice Chapman. The latter was at the time proprietor of the Daily Advertiser, which was the first newspaper published in British North America. Mr Revans became a bosom friend of his literary chief, and for some time they worked together as co-editors of Mr Chapman's newspaper venture. At this time a political crisis was taking place in Canada. The liberals of the old Dominion were agitating for the establishment of elective institutions. Mr Chapman and his friend finally left Canada somewhere about the year 1836, their object being to interest and influence the Liberal party in England in obtaining for the Canadians the benefits of constitutional and responsible government, and in this mission they were eminently successful. At this time the Anti-Corn-Law agitation in England was at its height. This and other cognate matters culminated in the agitation which was at the time known as the Chartist riots. In conjunction with Richard Cobden, Arthur John Roebuck, Henry Vincent, H. S. Chapman, and other leading Liberals, Mr Revans settled the cardinal points which were embodied in the five Chartist resolutions. The part Mr Revans took in the Chartist disturbances made him leave England, which he did in September 1839, in the ship Adelaide, bound for Port Nicholson, the Adelaide being one of the first fleet of five ships despatched by the New Zealand Company. The emigrants landed at Petone on the 14th April, 1840. Mr Revans at once issued the first number of The Gazette, which had been printed in London. The next week's issue of The Gazette, however, was printed at Petone from type brought out by the proprietor from London, the publication being worked off on a Columbian press by the foreman printer, a Mr Yates, who was assisted by our fellow-citizen, Mr Thomas M'Kenzie. The paper was well and vigorously written, the editor and principal writer being Mr Revans, who, in addition to political articles, chiefly directed against the corrupt government of Governor Hobson, also wrote many editorials of a philosophical and social character. The late Mr Chapman did not rejoin his friend Mr Revans in New Zealand till late in 1840. After successfully establishing The Gazette, which he conducted for about three years, Mr Revans sold out to a company, and devoted his energies to importing merchandise from England and cattle from Sydney. Subsequently the deceased gentleman took up a sheep-run in the Wairarapa, in partnership with the late Captain W. V. Smith. Mr Revans, upon the introduction of responsible government, was elected as member of the House of Representatives for a Wellington electorate, and in addition he had a seat in the Wellington Provincial Council for the Wairarapa District. He was a man of the most kindly disposition, and towards ladies he ever was most chivalrous, on one occasion going so far as to fight a duel with a Mr Harrison who had acted rudely to a lady friend of his. The meeting took place at Pipitea Point, on the site where the Girls' High School now stands. The weapons chosen were duelling pistols, but, fortunately, although several shots were exchanged, no blood was drawn. Of late years the deceased gentleman had fallen upon evil days. Owing to unfortunate circumstances he lost the greater part of his property, and at the time of his death resided, we believe, with his brother at Greytown North. Mr Revans never married.