Remembering a journalist. That’s what this George McCullagh Reed Plaque is about. It stands as a tribute to a man of words. A man who left his mark on New Zealand journalism. Let’s delve into the life of George McCullagh Reed.
George McCullagh Reed was born in County Monaghan Ireland around 1831. He received a solid education at Queen’s College Belfast. He graduated in 1856. Initially Reed became a Presbyterian minister. He served in France Switzerland and then in Victoria Australia in 1857. By 1861 he was minister in Ipswich Queensland. Here he married Jessie Chalmers Ranken in 1863. However Reed resigned from the ministry in 1866.
Reed was elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Ipswich. He served from 1866 to 1867. His true calling seemed to be in the world of newspapers. He had a knack for establishing buying and editing them. In 1870 Reed founded the Evening Star in Auckland. His influence extended to politics. He was elected to the Auckland Provincial Council. He represented the Takapuna electorate from 1873 to 1876. He even served on the executive council as provincial treasurer.
In 1876 Reed moved to Dunedin. He established the Evening News. Soon after he bought the Otago Guardian a morning newspaper. He partnered with George Fenwick. Dunedin could not sustain two morning papers. Fenwick and Reed then purchased their rival. It was the Otago Daily Times and its weekly the Otago Guardian. Reed was quite the traveller. He served as New Zealand’s immigration agent in Ireland. He then became a leader writer for The Argus in Melbourne. In 1883 he joined The New Zealand Herald.
Reed later worked in the United Kingdom. He co-founded the Australian Times and Anglo-New Zealander. His partner was Robert Reid. Upon returning to Auckland Reed became editor of the Auckland Evening Bell. He also edited the Evening Standard in Melbourne in 1889. By 1890 he was editor for The Sydney Morning Herald. By 1895 Reed was back in Auckland. He rejoined The New Zealand Herald.
George McCullagh Reed died in Auckland on November 13 1898. The cause was a heart attack. He left behind three sons including Vernon Reed and John Reed. He also had two daughters. Reed was buried in the Symonds Street Cemetery.
There is also the Reed Monument. It is located in Albert Park Auckland. W. Parkinson sculpted it. The monument is made of Timaru limestone. It features a statue of a young girl. The statue was removed several times due to vandalism. The monument bears an inscription. It reads Erected in loving remembrance of G.M Reed B.A. of Auckland journalist. For the future in the distance and the good that we can do. 1901. Another inscription states This statue was presented by W. Parkinson and Co. Sculptors Auckland 1901.
One fun fact about Reed is that he once reported that Noah’s Ark had been discovered intact in a glacier on Mt Ararat. It was an April Fool’s joke in 1883. Newspapers worldwide reprinted this story. So the next time you pass by this George McCullagh Reed Plaque remember the man. Remember his journey from Ireland to New Zealand. Remember his contributions to journalism and his sense of humour.