# Charleston: Its Rise and Decline/Chapter 14

Chapter XIV.
NEWSPAPERS.
TO give definite details of the newspaper services at Charleston is hardly possible. The Jubilee Souvenir of St. John’s Church, Westport, published 1927, remarks: “Owing to the destruction by fire of the Westport Times office, it is very difficult to secure any but the slightest newspaper records of the early days”; and adds that “by a piece of thoughtlessness the record files of the Charleston Herald were scattered to the winds in 1911.”
Charleston Argus. This was the first newspaper published at Charleston, but its period is difficult to determine. It was established by Messrs. Munson and Tyrrell of the Westport Times, with Mr. John Tyrrell as manager and editor, early in 1867. In about October of the same year it was taken over by Mr. Charles Mirfin, who changed the title to Charleston Herald and Mining Reporter. A few copies of the Charleston Argus, also some odd leaves, are held by Mr. D. Moloney, of Westport. Three of these are dated 10th April, 1867, 4th May, 1867, and 11th May, 1867, respectively; being of Volume 1, Nos. 8, 15, and 17. Unfortunately they are somewhat tattered, and the imprint of each is missing, but an odd leaf from the issue dated 29th May, 1867, bears the imprint of Munson & Tyrrell. Another odd leaf bears the date 16th March, 1867, but is without imprint. The premises were, it is believed, in Chancery Lane, off Camp Street. Advertisements of P. Griffen, painter, state that his premises were “opposite the Camp, next to the Melbourne Hotel” and “next to Charleston Argus.”
Charleston Herald and Mining Reporter. This was ​established about October, 1867, by Mr. Charles Mirfin, of Brighton, where he had been publisher of the Brighton Times. Upon leaving Charleston he founded newspapers at Inangahua and Reefton. This newspaper replaced the Charleston Argus, the plant of which was taken over by Mr. Mirfin. It is believed that it was subsequently acquired by Mr. R. G. Neale, who changed the title to Charleston Herald and Brighton Times; a copy dated 8th October, 1870, bears his imprint. Mr. Neale in turn sold to Mr. Thos. Dwan. In 1879 the title was enlarged to Charleston Herald, Brighton Times, and Croninville Reporter. At first the premises were in Camp Street, then in Prince’s Street West (Section 109) and later in the building vacated by the Union Bank of Australia (Section 114). Later proprietors were Alonzo Dwan, Thomas Dollman, Patrick Kittson, and Norah Kittson, the latter from the death of her husband Patrick Kittson, in 1893, until it ceased publication in 1911. The dates of the other transfers cannot be definitely stated. It was a four-page twice-weekly issue selling at 6d. per copy. It is said that in later years it became a weekly, and at the last published at irregular intervals. It is believed that the plant of this paper had many vicissitudes, being originally obtained second-hand from Melbourne, then used at Okarito, then at Brighton, then at Charleston and, after about forty years of service, going for further use at Murchison. Patrick Kittson, who was from the staff of the Melbourne Argus, had served on the Inangahua Times before arriving at Charleston, and was reporter, compositor, etc., on the Charleston Herald before taking over its control. He was a competent and talented journalist, worthy of a position on a larger paper whereon his abilities would have had wider scope. His writings, prose and verse, both serious and mirth-provoking, are still remembered and quoted by old residents. He was an outstanding personality of the town. He died at Charleston, and is buried there.
Charleston News. This was a very short-lived issue published by Mr. E. Tucker in 1875. See Nelson Gazette No. 6. No details of it are available.
In addition to its newspaper, Charleston employed a bell-ringer or town-crier for the dissemination of news, his duty ​being to stand at street corners, ring a bell, and call out news and special announcements. The newspaper proprietors did not object; for one reason it saved the labour of printing and distributing “extras” between issues; but strenuous opposition was offered to the crying of matters in the nature of advertisements. In early times, as now, efforts were made to make advertisements distinctive; they cost 5/- per inch. The following example is taken from the Charleston Herald of October, 1873: “HAIRDRESSING BY MACHINERY—Professor Strachan, Physiognomic Operator and Professor of Tonsorial Art, Palmerston Street, Westport.” It may be observed that the trade of barbers’ establishments was, in those days, almost entirely confined to hairdressing; few men shaved, the ’seventies were “beaver time” on the Coast.
Westport Times and Buller Express. This was the first newspaper published in the Westport-Charleston district, being established by Messrs. J. L. Munson and John Tyrrell on 22nd December, 1866, at Molesworth Street in the old township of Westport, on a site near to where the cattle-wharf now stands. The first editor was Mr. Hawken, succeeded by Mr. Ings. Mr. Tyrrell had previously been associated with the West Coast Times at Hokitika. Early in 1867 this firm established the Charleston Argus at Charleston, but disposed of it late in the same year.
In 1867 or 1868 the name of the Westport paper was altered to Westport Times and Charleston Argus, but, upon protest from the Charleston paper, soon dropped the latter portion of the new name. In August, 1868, Munson and Tyrrell dissolved partnership, and Bain and Tyrrell became publishers of the paper. Later in the same year Bain retired; Tyrrell became publisher and Reid & Co. proprietors. Later Mr. Tyrrell assumed full control. The premises were destroyed by fire in 1870 together with, apparently, the record files of the paper. Files of 1868 and 1869 are preserved at the General Assembly Library at Wellington. In 1873 the office was transferred to the present premises of the Westport Times, now Buller Times, in Palmerston Street in the new township.