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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 77

The Otago News

The Otago News,

Published every alternate Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock.

"There's Pippins and Cheese to come."

No. 1. Dunedin, Wednesday, December 13, 1848. Price, 6d.

The Otago News will be published every alternate Wednesday for the first six months; price, 6d each paper, or 6s for six months; payable in advance.

Printed and published every alternate Wednesday afternoon, at 6 o'clock, by H. B. Graham, Rattray street, Dunedin, Otago. New Zealand.

Such are the heading and imprint on our first newspaper, and the following extracts will be read with great interest. The leader, which appears on the second page, breathes the spirit of perfervid patriotism in plainest language, and had its principles been adhered to, haply, the News might to-day he alive and flourishing.

As the leader claims first importance, it is given here in full text.

"There's Pippins and Cheese to come."

It is a well-known fact, founded on past experience, that no new colony can become of any importance in the universal eye unless a public organ, like the press, whose iron tongued mouth may be heard—uttering its wants, its benefits, its abuses, its hopes and fears thousands of miles away, and stirring up the hearts of men to justice, and to act faithfully at home and abroad. This was one reason we had for establishing the Otago News. Many others might be named, but the most prominent besides was that we expected benefit ourselves from its production. Selfish it may appear to own it, but would it be believed if we stated otherwise—that we merely worked and toiled pro bona publico, looking for no reward ourselves? No; "but whilst we acknowledge this, let it be remembered we have the public good ever before our eyes, and that truth will appear in the present and future number of our paper.

Our columns will embrace every topic of interest connected with the colony, discussed and commented on with fairness and impartiality. So—totally disavowing All party spirit or narrow-minded bigotry— page 28 we are equally free to express ourselves, and to give our mite of encouragement when encouragement is due. Correspondence upon any and every subject of importance to the town and neighbourhood of Dunedin will be gladly accepted and admitted within our columns, but all letters of a personal character will be omitted, believing, as we do, that a newspaper is not a fitting vehicle for personal invective and satire, creating ill-will and animosity between parties who should live in concord and peace with each other.

Public measures are public property, but the spirit of Christianity and goodwill demand that in private action of all men should rest between themselves and their consciences. It is on this ground we take our stand, and we hope never to deviate from the plan we have thus marked out for our guidance. We have also great faith in the future progress of mankind, and we look upon the Press as the great instrument to be used in the moral regeneration of the world. Through its influence we hope for "a good time coming," when the labourer will be worthy of his hire, and the wealthy and great will go hand in hand with all that is good and noble—when the poor man, rich in intellect, will find his poverty no bar to his advancement in society, and the hidden treasures of many a mind will yield up its stores to the public good and receive a commensurate reward for the world it has benefited. To hasten the delightful period will be our pleasing duty, and we call upon every friend of humanity to join and help us, that we may root out all the bad prejudices and party feelings of the old world, and inculcate a nobler and better spirit among all classes of the community. The soil may prove unfruitful at first, and our endeavours meet with disappointment; but never despair; the world is opening a new page of history; old things are passing away, and however slow may be our progress at present; however humble our lot or lowly our fare; let us persevere, and we shall find a joyful realisation of the motto we have chosen, in the prosperity-mind and body—of those around us.

No preliminary puffs pervaded the advent of the News, nor did the editor consider particular attention should be drawn to the absolute need for such an organ to give vent to public opinion, the advantage conferred on the community, or his own peculiar fitness for the position as a leader and guide, nor his superior ability for elevating and educating the people in morals and manners. Quite a contrast to a modern performer who proclaims himself a model for all to copy, the absolute embodiment and presentment of the organisation of which he is the temporary head, a paragon in diction, and whose pontifical robes conceal many personal attractions.

From the actual dearth of events of importance the News was unable to give any local pars, sensational or otherwise, for some time. Then a few cropped up, of which notice will be taken in due season. Public and general announcements are the great support of all periodicals, constituting their life's blood, and so the editor opens the first column of his first page 29 page in his first number by showing a good example to the constituents he was wooing—by advertising.

The advertising mania began to develop itself on a small scale certainly. With the advent of the paper a few specimens culled at a venture from the earlier numbers of the News may bring to the memory some old folks or associations now lying dormant under the accumulated heaps of more stirring but as really passing events, by which the public mind is kept in constant agitation creating a thirst for more. These early ads had the recommendation, proudly stamped on their front, of modesty and honesty, not like the inflated and over-loaded puffs now so rampant, which oft times deceive the unwary and render more wary the cute. A few remarks are added.

The proprietor and publisher of the News opens the ball by announcing at the head of the first column of the three which cover each of the four pages of his paper, the page measuring in full length and breadth 14in x 10in, and called "post folio" size.

Advertisements inserted in the Otago News on the following terms:—Six lines and under, 2s for the first insertion; all above six lines, 4d per line per insertion; half price for every succeeding insertion.

All communications, advertisements, and orders to be addressed to H. B. Graham, at the Otago News Office, Dunedin.

Notice.—No orders for the Otago News attended to unless paid in advance. Advertisements for the first page should be sent in on or before the Friday previous to the day of publication. No advertisements inserted a second time unless particularly specified.