Each of the four chief towns on the West Coast—namely, Grey-mouth, Hokitika, Westport, and Reefton has two daily papers. The “West Coast Times” and “Hokitika Guardian,” respectively morning and evening papers, were founded in the year 1865, at Greymouth. In the same year, the “Grey River Argus” appeared as a morning journal, and the “Greymouth Evening Star” came out in the following year. The “Westport News” was founded in 1866, and in 1873 the evening paper of Westport, the “Westport Times” and “Evening Star” made its appearance. At Reefton, the “Inangahua Herald” is the morning paper, and the “Inangahua Times” the evening paper. The “Kumara Times” is a daily evening paper; the “Ross and Okarito Advocate” and the “Charleston Herald” are both bi-weekly; while the “Buller Post” at Murchison, the “Buller Miner” at Westport, the “Weekly Argus” at Greymouth, and the “Leader,” at Hokitika, are weekly journals.

The “Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star” is a daily evening newspaper, and was founded in the year 1865 by Mr. Joseph Klein, who afterwards conducted the “West Coast Times.” Mr. David Curle, who page 505 was one of the original proprietors of the Wellington “Pot,” came in 1880 under engagement to Mr. Klein to take charge of the paper, which was then called the “Evening Star.” Twelve months later, he started the “Hokitika Guardian,” which he conducted for two years, when Mr. Klein died. Mr. Curle then bought the “Star,” and the two papers were amalgamated under the combined name of the “Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star.” Mr. Curle sold out his interest in 1893 to Mr. Dawes, who afterwards enlarged the size of the paper. Later, Mr. Dawes took into partnership Messrs D. J. Eyans and Charles Nightingale, and in 1903 sold his interest to his partners. A year later. Messrs Evans and Night-ingale took Mr. A. E. Benjamin into partnership. For over four years the “Guardian” had a most successful career, when the building and plant (almost new) were destroyed in the fire of December, 1897. A new site was then chosen, and the present building erected. The editor's room and publishing offices are in the front; there is also a composing room, a store-room, and a jobbing department. The machinery includes a four horsepower steam engine by Mous, of Melbourne, a Wharfdale printing machine, a “Sun” platen machine, besides a power guillotine, wire binder, perforator, double-royal “Harrild” cylinder machine, etc. jobbing plant is very complete, and in this department alone a large amount of business is done. Twelve persons are employed on the “Guardian.” Its circulation extends from Greenstone and Kumara in the north to Jackson's Bay in the south. There are seven country agencies and regular country correspondents at Ross, Kumara, Goldsborough, and Stafford. The politics of the “Guardian” are of a liberal character. It was the first penny paper published in Westland, and the state of the advertising columns shows that the paper holds a leading position.

Mr. Arthur Elias Benjamin , Manager and Part Proprietor of the “Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star,” was born in the year 1871, at Hokitika, where he was educated, and brought up to mercantile life. In 1902, he joined the paper as manager, and, a year later, became a partner in the firm. Mr. Benjamin is interested in football and cricket, is a member of local clubs, and for several years represented his elub and Westland in football. He married a daughter of Mr. Robert Johnston, of Greymouth, in July, 1902.

Mr. John Samuel Dawes , formerly editor and part proprietor of the “Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star,” was interested in the journal until the year 1903, when he disposed of his interest to his partners, Messrs D. J. Evans and Charles Nightingale. He was born at Birmingham, England, and is a son of the late Mr. J. S. Dawes, F.R.G.S., one of the founders of the Midland Institute, of Birmingham, and was educated at Edgbaston. On the death of his father, in the year 1880, Mr. Dawes came to New Zealand, and landed at Lyttelton. After twelve months of clerical work in Wellington, he went to the West Coast, and became editor and proprietor of the “Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star.” Mr. Dawes was a prominent member of the Hokitika boating club, and was associated with most of the clubs and institutions in Hokitika. He occupied a seat on the Borough Council for a term, and in 1898, he took an active part in endeavouring to promote the shipping interests of the port. Mr. Dawes retired from business in the year 1903, and removed to Wanganui.

Mr. J. S. Dawes.

“The West Coast Times ,” which was established in the year 1865, has its publishing offices in Weld Street, Hoitika. The paper, which is the oldest on the West Coast, has a large circulation throughout the province, and is published every morning. It cosists of four pages of eight columes each, of which one-third is reading matter, and the balance advertisements. Politically, the journal supports the Seddon Administration. In the year 1901 the “West Coast Times” Printing and Publishing Company, Limited, was incorporated, and took over the business of the paper. The proprietors also publish a weekly paper, named The Leader,” which is issued every Saturday, and circulates throughout the district. Mr. H. L. Michel is chairman of directors.