Bay of Plenty Times moments in history

See also : Newspapers in Tauranga moments in history

BOPT = Bay of Plenty Times.

1874: Reported from the Auckland Star that Edward Mortimer Edgecumbe has purchased a share of the Bay of Plenty Times, and will for future fulfil the duties of editor. Bay of Plenty Times, 21 October 1874.

1878:

• After this date BOPT to be published three times a week. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday a.m. Bay of Plenty Times, 31 August 1878.
• BOPT calling tenders for new publishing offices in Willow Street. Bay of Plenty Times, 5 October 1878.

1879:

• During 1879 proprietor Edward Mortimer Edgecumbe sold BOPT to George Vesey Stewart. Bay of Plenty Times, 14 July 1890.
• New premises for the BOPT being erected on the site of the old Customs House in Harrington Street. Mr D. Lundon contractor. Bay of Plenty Times, 16 January 1879.
• Mr A. Rathbone, late Editor and Manager of the BOPT, left for England. Bay of Plenty Times, 29 May 1879.
• Mr W. Bartlett Langbridge, founder and first editor of BOPT paying a visit to the town. etc...re being abused by a citizen for putting his name in the paper. Bay of Plenty Times, 31 May 1879.
• History of the BOPT. Established in 1873 as a daily sheet. 1875 enlarged to a double crown. 1878 enlarged to double original size. 1879 enlarged to present dimensions. Bay of Plenty Times, 4 September 1879.

1881: BOPT, first daily issue. Three-quarter column giving history of paper. Bay of Plenty Times, 26 September 1881.

1882: Mr E.M. Edgecumbe becomes sole proprietor of the BOPT, purchasing it back. Bay of Plenty Times, 29 September 1882.

1883:

• BOPT reverting to a twice weekly paper instead of a daily because of fall off in business in Tauranga etc. Bay of Plenty Times, 1 February 1883.
• Sale of BOPT by order of the mortgagee, 2 March 1883. Sold to George Vesey Stewart and Rev. David Bruce of Auckland for £1000. E.M. Edgecumbe appointed Manager by G.V. Stewart, exactly 12 months before but his management turned out anything but a financial success. Paper was losing £8 a week. Bay of Plenty Times, 3 March 1883.
• BOPT printed and published by Harold Henry De Bourbel for the Proprietor. Bay of Plenty Times, 3 March 1883.

1884:

• Presentation to Mr Ward, Editor, of the BOPT, who was about to sever his connection with the paper. Bay of Plenty Times, 5 January 1884.
• We are sorry to inform our Katikati readers that as Mr E. Robertson, Coach Proprietor, refuses to take our paper, we shall be posting them at Tauranga etc. Bay of Plenty Times, 7 October 1884.
• Letter from postmaster saying Mr Robertson is bound by law to take the papers to Katikati. Bay of Plenty Times, 11 October 1884.

1885: After today Mr Mulgan, late in the employ of Thomas Wrigley as bookkeeper occupies the editor's place in the BOPT. Bay of Plenty Times, 29 August 1885.

1886: Mr E. Mulgan, late managing editor of the BOPT left 2 October 1886 to live in Auckland. Bay of Plenty Times, 5 October 1886.

1888: James Galbraith become proprietor of the BOPT. 9 May 1888.

1891:

• James Galbraith ceased being proprietor. 17 July 1891.
• William Buchan purchaser of BOPT. 24 July 1891.

1892: History of the BOPT published as an article. 2 September 1892.

1905:

• Mr G. Arnold Ward architect has been instructed by Mr Clayton to prepare plans and specifications for a new printing office in Willow Street for the BOPT. Bay of Plenty Times, 17 November 1905.
• Tenders called for new BOPT Printing Office in Willow Street to be completed within 10 week from acceptance of a tender. Bay of Plenty Times, 11 December 1905.
• Mr Adams tender received for BOPT office. Building to be 70 feet 6 inches by 24 feet wide, built of wood and iron. Bay of Plenty Times, 20 December 1905.

1906:

• BOPT will be removed to the new building on Willow Street on Saturday next. A special edition will be issued at 4pm. (Then a morning paper). Proprietors J.H. Clayton and Co. Bay of Plenty Times, 9 April 1906.
• BOPT first issue from new premises. Now printed by engine power and new style of print, the type being made on the premises by the Monoline, the latest invention in line casting machinery. Editorial. Bay of Plenty Times, 14 April 1906.

1910: The BOPT is delivered by mounted runners on the evening of publication to all parts of town and suburbs. J. Clayton and Co. Bay of Plenty Times, 19 August 1910.

1911: BOPT advances from 4 to 8 pages, although page size small. Bay of Plenty Times, 7 August 1911.

1947: 75th anniversary of the BOPT. Staff photo of BOPT on page 2. Mclarens Falls on page 4. "Good photo" of F.W. Doidge, L.R. Wilkinson in supplement. Bay of Plenty Times, 4 September 1947.

1974: Price rise slight - survey of newspapers. Bay of Plenty Times, 21 June 1974.

1982:

• Directors appointed. Bay of Plenty Times, 24 April 1982, p. 4.
• Tribute by Mr Couch. Bay of Plenty Times, 12 June, 1982, p. 6.
• Mr Hampton named Times general manager. Bay of Plenty Times, 24 November 1982 [Ams 487/11, Scrapbook 13, p. 15].

1984:

• Managing director of BOPT retires. Aubrey Sherson. [Ams 487/11, Scrapbook 9, p. 14].
• Retirement from BOPT. Aubrey Sherson. 20 September 1984 [Ams 487/11, Scrapbook 7, p. 54].

1985: Special supplement on BOPT - new building and 20,000 circulation. Bay of Plenty Times, 1 July 1985.

1987: Brian Clark, Associate Editor. 17 October 1987 [Ams 487/11, Scrapbook 20, p. 35].

1990:

• Former Times manager dies. Aubrey Sherson. Bay of Plenty Times, 28 May 1990.
• 58 years in the journalism. Charles Walter Tootell. New Zealand Herald, 5 July 1990.
• Newsman's body found at fire. Charles Walter Tootell. Bay of Plenty Times, 5 July 1990.

1992: 42 years with newspaper ends. Graeme Norris. Bay of Plenty Times, 12 September 1992, p. 3.

1997: Production head appointed. Gerald Voight appointed production manager at BOPT. Bay of Plenty Times, 26 July 1997.

1999:

• Times editor mourned. Brief obituary on Charles William Vennell. Ex editor of the BOPT and author of several books relating to Tauranga history. Bay of Plenty Times, 30 August 1996.
• Former editor a man of history. Obituary of Charles William (Pip) Vennell. Bay of Plenty Times, 4 September 1996.

1997: Associate Editor Brian Clark retires. Bay of Plenty Times, 16 October 1997.

1999: Times general manager moves on (Ron Pepper). Bay of Plenty Times, 22 October 1999.

No date:

• Craig Butler is longest serving paper boy. Ams 487/11, Scrapbook 9, p. 12.
• Aubrey Sherson, managing director retires, directors appointed, family line continues. Ernest Beer, former editor dies. Reporter, Ben Smith to study in USA. Ams 487/11, Scrapbook 9, p. 14, 16.

A selection of images from the archives:

Bay of Plenty Times office, Willow Street, Tauranga in 1955. Photograph by Max Avery.

Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Photo 00-399

John Nuku sitting at Linotype machine, November 1960.

Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Photo gcb-022

Rotary Press producing the Sports Page, August 1963.

Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Photo gcb-952

Bay of Plenty Times building, August 1963.

Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Photo gcc-3944

Reporters Room, August 1963.

Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Photo gcb-953

Interior and printing presses, c. 1964.

Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Photo gca-8058

Bay of Plenty Times Ltd office front in early 1977.

Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Photo gca-22520

Printing press in full swing, c. 1980.

Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Photo 99-591