Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/622

 596 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Th^ Register 1850. and his journalistic intrepidity was such that at one time "nine libel actions against him appeared on the cause-list of the Courts." The Register was serving its apprenticeship in tribulation, but better days were near at hand. In the interests of the widow and family, Mr. John Taylor generously and manfully undertook the management of the paper. After great striving against disheartening conditions, he established the paper on a sound financial basis, and even rendered the widow and family comparatively independent. On May 24, 1853, eight gentlemen, comprising a syndicate, took over the Register and the Observer, one of them being the son of the deserving founder. P'our of them — Messrs. I. H. Lucking, A. Hay (late member of the Legislative Council), F. H. Paulding, and T. Magarey (father of the late Dr. S. J. Magarey) — soon retired, leaving the property in the hands of Messrs. A. P'orster, E. W. Andrews, VV. K. Thomas, and Joseph Fisher. The editorial department was entrusted to such celebrated Australian journalists as Mr. Forster, Dr. Andrew Garran (well-known in New South Wales afterwards as editor of the Sydney Morning Herald and the writer of essays and publications bearing an Australian reputation). Mr. V. R. Whitridge, and Mr. J. H. Barrow. Under this control the ri.se of the Register was rapid. The Province was entering upon an era of phenomenal develop- ment, and the paper rose in the respect of the people. In 1864 Mr. Forster retired from the firm, and in the following year Mr. Fisher sold his interest to Mr. John Howard Clark — the firm becoming Andrews, Thomas, & Clark. In 1868 the Evening Journal .saw the light of day; and in 1870 the Register, which for 16 years had continued in the broadsheet form, became an eight-page publication of smaller size. Originally the paper was issued at 6d. a copy, from 1839 to 1841 IS. was charged, then 6d., then 4d., then (in May, 1864) 3d., and, on January i, 1882, 2d. In 1877, upon the death of Mr. Andrews, Messrs. Charles Day, J. H. F"inlayson, and R. K. Thomas, who had for years been prominently associated with the office, were admitted to the proprietary. In May, 1878, Mr. J. H. Clark died, and the death of Mr. W. K. Thomas occurred on July 4 of the same year. The.se two gentlemen wielded a very substantial influence over the destinies of the Register. The younger partners remained in charge under the name of W. K. Thomas & Co. Mr. Day retired on June 30, 1890; and the two remaining proprietors assumed the sole control, until in 1899 the firm was e.xtended by the admission of Mr. William J. Sowden and Mr. I^van Kyffin Thomas. In Mr. R. K. Thomas and his brother it is gratifying to record that two grandsons of the founder are still among the heads of the worthy paper. During the year 1898 a fourth generation of the family entered the establishment in the person of the eldest son of Mr. Robert Kyffin Thomas. Before turning t(j the editorial branch again, it is worth mentioning that the pre.sent land occupied by the Register, in Grenfell Street, was purchased in 1854. In November of the following year the hand-machines were superseded by steam, and two gasometers were erected; in i860 the offices were lighted from these, this being the first illuminating gas produced in the Province. In 1889 the electric light was installed. On July I, 1892, the price of the Register was reduced to one penny. The office is now equipped with the latest machinery, including the linotype, and the most modern and powerful printing presses from the celebrated works of Richard Hoe & Co.