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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Mr. Henry Edward Muir, J.P

Mr. Henry Edward Muir, J.P. , who was elected to represent High Ward in the Dunedin City Council in 1900, and was relected, unopposed, in 1901, was, while a member of the Council, chairman of the Reserves Committee, and a member of the Water, Gas, General, Works, and Finance Committees. He was defeated for his ward at the general municipal election in 1903. In 1900 Mr. Muir was appointed to represent the City Council on the Ocean Beach Domain Board, on which he held a seat till June, 1903, when the pressure of journalistic duties compelled him to retire. He was gazetted a Justice of the Peace in 1899. Mr. Muir was born in Bendigo, Victoria, in 1852. He attended a public school for a short time in Bendigo, and at the age of nine accompanied his parents to Dunedin, where he completed his education at public and private schools. From boyhood he has been engaged, almost continuously, in newspaper work. He commenced his journalistic career in the printing department of the “Palmerston and Waikouaiti Herald” office, and subsequently found employment as a compositor in the offices of the “Otago Guardian” (Dunedin), and the “Bruce Herald” (Milton). In 1873 he entered into partnership with three others, and established the “Clutha Leader,” which was afterwards sold to a company. After spending a few years as a compositor in the printing department of the “Otago Daily Times,” Mr. Muir assisted in the establishment of the “Morning Herald,” with which he was connected for several years. He afterwards entered into partnership with Mr. Thomas Lawson, of Palmerston South, and leased the “Timaru Evening Mail,” and when that paper was disposed of to Mr. William Foden, Mr. Muir was employed to edit it. For several months Mr. Muir edited the “Ashburton Guardian” and “Ashburton Mail” for Major Steward (now Sir William Steward), and he was afterwards in succession sub-editor and editor of the “Evening Globe,” Dunedin. At a later period he joined the staff of the “Otago Daily Times,” on a special engagement, the result of which was a substantial increase to the city circulation of that journal. During the mining boom in Otago, Mr. Muir went into business as a sharebroker, and was elected to the position of chairman of the Equitable Stock Exchange. After the subsidence of the mining boom, he again returned to journalism as a member of the “Evening Star” staff, where he has occupied the positions of relieving sub-editor and general reporter. Mr. Muir was married, in February, 1879, to Miss Annie Black, fourth daughter of the late Alexander Black, farmer, of Chatton, Southland, and has five sons and one daughter.