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Newspaper girls and boys
My Story
DescriptionGreymouth Paperboys and girls.
Sorry if this is a bit long but I guess it is a story familiar to hundreds of Greymouth kids over the years. Paperboys (I don’t remember any girls) were the key to getting the news out to so many families 6 days a week long before the internet and even TV.
I started in about 1964 when I was 10 years old. My first paper round was the Christchurch Press delivery to all of Blaketown except Preston Road. Monday to Saturday I would bike up to the Station by 6 am where all the paperboys gathered in the warmth of George Saunder’s little office waiting for the Christchurch railcar. As the railcar pulled in we would be waiting for the bundles of papers to be thrown out onto the platform. We would drag our bundle into the office, count up our papers, pack them in our leather bag and sling them over the bar of the bike. It was always a struggle because I was only a little feller in those days and those Press papers were quite thick, especially the Saturday edition.
I would head off down Mackay Street in the dark, down to my first delivery of 3 or 4 papers at the Gilmer Hotel, then past the Goods Shed and across the old swing bridge over to Packers Quay. I was always terrified of that swing bridge as the weight of the papers made the bike a bit wobbly getting across the wharf and I had visions of falling off into the river, never to be seen again.
Of course, as we all know, Greymouth has the odd wet day or two, and in the winter it has been known to be downright miserable at times. It was always a struggle to keep the papers dry as there was just a canvas flap on the bag to keep the rain out. Sometimes my legs would be rubbed raw by those thick Saturday papers as I peddled and that was always a killer on those cold winter mornings.
At the end of my round it was off home for breakfast and then on the bike or the bus up to school at Marist.
A couple on things have always stuck in my mind about the Press run. One morning I was peddling down Mackay Street in the dark when a cop suddenly appeared out of the shadows near Albert Street right in front of me and pulled me over for no light on the bike. I told him it had been stolen just that morning and promised to get another one (which I didn’t). Every morning for about the next month I tried to outwit that cop by going down Mawhera Quay or turning left into Tainui Street. I never saw the cop again and convinced myself that I was too clever for him. The truth is that he was probably laughing himself silly watching me peddle all over town trying to avoid him.
On another day there was a huge thunder storm in the morning, blowing a gale and bucketing down. Half way round my run a guy pulled up in a van and loaded me and my papers on board and drove me the rest of the way round. I would leap out with a paper at every letter box and then back in for the next house. I had no idea who he was but I was pretty glad for the help.
After a couple of years delivering the Press I got a run with the Greymouth Star. It was a dream paper run after the Press. Smaller papers, after school delivery and it was just Preston Road where I lived. With the smaller paper I soon developed the knack of being able to pull a paper out of the bag fold into quarters with one hand and stick it in the letter box all without stopping. Just about every house in the street got a paper.
I loved the star job. It was great watching those big presses churning out papers from the big rolls of newsprint. The papers were literally hot off the press and the ink was still a little wet.
With both jobs, delivering the papers was only part of the job. Every two weeks you had to collect payment from each customer and take it up to the office. I remember collecting for the star the week decimal currency came in – 40 cents for two weeks delivery. Mum (Peg Messenger) would never let me leave the house without having counted all the money and reconciled it against the collection book. She made me make up any shortfall which made for good lifetime habits I must say.
Keith White I remember Graham Bone and Eddie Power in the printing room smile emoticon
Alan Messenger Interesting Graham, I had some interesting times delivering the Argus
Graham Messenger Alan - You would have been the fastest paperboy in town.
Leslie McKendry And delivering the Grey Star up Omoto Road had its moments as well.
Alan Messenger Yes true, was also the fastest telegram boy, until I realized that it only meant I had to do more runs
Alan Messenger When I was a telegram boy the Post Office paid us a bike allowance. I used my racing bike because was only bike I had. The acting Chief Postmaster Harry Saba lined us up to check our bikes before paying the allowance. He said they wouldn't pay me because I didn't have 2 brakes. Mudguards and lights. After much argument I got my money. No wonder I was transferred to Head Office
Sandra Wylie I used to do masters st Joyce Cres area and the hospital
Lesley Jean Frogley us girls used to fill in for our brothers at times
Lesley Jean Frogley Loved it
Ralph Barnett This was my first job I earned $20 a fortnight for biking my ass off 6 days a week. Is that child labour??
Johannes Debreuk Yup I did the telegram thing, thinking back it was pretty cool! LOL cant remember if we got paid.... yeah must have!!
Martin Burt I had the Marsden road and Boddytown run. Also a brief run with the chch star, Argus as well as press. One of them i had the town run, cant remember which paper, but was a lot of raspberry and cokes on collection day
Heather Newby Graham Messenger did your bike wheels ever get stuck in the railway lines near the Goods sheds? The lines just before the swing bridge? that happened to me a couple of times and I fell off my bike..
Heather Newby interesting reminiscing re the papers Graham Messenger
Martin Burt Pushbikes and railway lines, guaranteed to hit the deck. Used to do it all the time when I was parcel boy for Hays. Delivery to Cobden, wet day, hit the road on the bloody lines
Michael Minchin My father used to deliver the Star, late 50s I think it would've been, I remember him telling me some of the Railway houses at the south end of High St would leave their front doors open and he would try and land the papers up their hallways
Martin Burt I had a few porches to aim at for tips smile emoticon
Jo Pearce I took over the Press delivery run in Ross from the other 4 Sheard kids before me, easy way for Manera's store to replace delivery kids, family of 5 kids lasted about 8 years I guess smile emoticon
Glenn Johnston When in Hoki I didn't have to collect the subs as part of the Press job but did for the Grey Star run. The Grey Star subs collection was an additional payment to that of delivering the papers. Think it was once a month we collected the subs for the Star.
Brian McIntyre Great reading and to know that I was not the only mug out there ,,,,,,,,,,, PAPER BOY
At around thirteen years old I was bought a second-hand push bike by Mum and Dad, and I got myself a job as a paperboy, delivering “The Press.” “The Press,” arrived in Greymouth from Christchurch on the rail car, which arrived at the Greymouth Railway station at 6-00 a.m.
Big fat Dave Saunders would count out the number of newspapers each runner had to deliver and then we would roll each paper and secure it with a rubber band, cut from a bike tube. I had only 57 papers to deliver in the Shakespeare’s St, Marsden Rd, and Palmerston St area. It doesn’t sound many papers, but being the big fat “Press” it was a lot of bulk to carry on a bike. Pay was not very much, considering I had to go to each house, once a fortnight to collect the paper money, this was a real hassle. One morning, with my usual accuracy, I threw Mr Fairmaid’s newspaper from the street towards his front porch; it must have been affected by the gravitational pull of the moon, being so early in the morning. The newspaper went through the closed window beside the porch end on and blew out a round hole, not much rounder then the newspaper roll. I knew Mr Fairmaid was a big wig on the Harbour Board and he drove a Jowet Javlin car. [Similar in looks to a VW car.] I took two or three deep breaths, stuck out what would to have been my chest and went in to tell them I had broken the window. They were very good about it, and thanked me for coming in to tell them about the window. After that episode, I took the paper every morning, right around the back to the kitchen door, “Crawler.” That Christmas I received 5 pounds, [our old currency] for a Christmas tip from them. Hell, 5 pounds, was a week’s wages for an adult working full time. Speaking of working full time, unemployment was unknown in those days. I got sick of delivering “The Press” and left after training a replacement. My next job, was delivering the “Greymouth Argus,” which was so thin, it was known as “the one minute silence,” that’s how long it to read it. That was a 5-00 am start and was around the town area, and very cold with the wind, that comes down through the town. I only did that for about three weeks. Too early and too cold. It didn’t take me long, to get a run with the “Greymouth Evening Star” with only about 30 papers to deliver, but a long ride. I went out as far as Kaiata, after starting at Burrell’s at the top of Omoto Rd, and the big plus was, I didn’t have to “collect” as the customers had to pay at the Newspaper Office. Because of that, the pay was less. During my career as a newspaper boy, I sold my second hand bike that Mum and Dad had bought me and traded it in on a new one, a “Coventry Eagle” from Nixon and Leach. It was a good bike but hell, it was unbelievably heavy.
Graham Messenger Some great comments here. Isn't it good how things posted here stir up so many old memories? People in those days generally were appreciative of their paperboys (and girls) and I always collected plenty of tips, usually 3d or 6d, on collection days. The Christmas collection was always good and I would often get a 10 bob or a pound note (Google it children). Also - being a paperboy often gave you extra opportunities. I sold programs at the Industries Fair for a few years which was good money. My favorite spot was at the gates at the Boundary Road end. One year (1965?) I sold programs for a big midweek game at Rugby Park (perhaps Sth. Africa vs West Coast?) - however I got into trouble over that one as we only had the afternoon off from Marist if we were actually going to the game. At school the next day Brother Julius made us all write a game report and I didn't even know the result - got another caning for that effort.
Brian McIntyre Graham Messenger In your Paper Boy posting I relived so many of my memories in your story, thanks mate
Graham Messenger Brian - they really were good days. Good exercise, work ethic and responsibility. It was bloody cold on the station at 6am though.
Malcolm Howell Good reading Graham. I was also a paper boy. Briefly in about 1958 when Neil Thorpe had the Star Sun agency in his deli store in Albert Street and then 59-62 for the Gremouth Evening Star. The printing team was Eddie Power & Charlie Rixon. Then later came Jim Negri & Graham Bone. We had one girl delivering papers in Omoto and Kaiata then. That was Marua Kenning. My round covered part CBD, albert, Lord, herbert, lombard and Turamaha Streets. Last paper was to Santa Fe milk bar. There were mostly elderly people in this area and I have to say they were lovely to deal with. Wet or cold - we got the paper to them. Brian Jacobs took over my run. In later years, the paperboys, never forgot each other and where we worked. Ken Munday, Chip Robinson, Barry Sweetman, Brian Beban, Costello, Gary Cowan, Graham Clements, etc etc. Great days under Managers Wilson & Keown. Senior in accounts was Tony Negri.
Brian McIntyre Just re read it again Graham Messenger and yes the bit about the paper bag rubbing against your leg creating a red rash and what about where your toes kicked the bottom corner of the bag every time the pedals revolved which eventually wore a hole through the bag. Must have been tough on the school shoes with those gristle soles too
Graham Messenger Malcolm - I thought you were going to say that you were the cop that got me and was still looking for me.
Brian McIntyre Went through my mind too Graham Messenger
Malcolm Howell Relax mate - someone else confessed.
Deb Griffiths I was a paper girl,saved up & bought a horse from $ earned
Graham Messenger Deb - that would have made the paper run easier. LOL
Malcolm Howell I actually got stopped myself cycling down Tainui Street to grab an early whitebaiting pozzie. My light was going off and on as their was a wiring short against the frame. This Constable made a big thing that although my light was working and I did have one, it did not comply with the regulations. Why he was worried about my bike light I don't know. Especially when it was at a time when all the Greymouth business area shops were being burgled. ie: early 60's.
Graham Messenger The cop never checked that I actually had papers in that big bulging bag on the bar.
Brian McIntyre Graham Messenger I loved your comment about Deb Griffiths' horse
Annette Messenger paperboys a bunch of sissies should have tried K Stores grocery bike with bags of chook mash & wheat in a steel box over small front wheel, real nosedive setup and as heavy as a small van ,with a single speed back pedal brake rear .wheel Shoulnt moan , helped me get a new Raleigh 20with 3 speed hub and front wheel dynamo hub..
Brian McIntyre I remember that bike and another at the Mawhera Butcher shop with that box like frame out the front that did not turn when you turned the handle bars. I never rode one but can quite imagine there would have been a few spills in learning to ride them
Graham Messenger John - yep did the K Stores bike as well when I worked there. It was a shocker to ride. I used to deliver to a house near the Gilmer and it was always dicing with death on that ride. Every time I see 'Open all Hours' on the tele I laugh because Granville has one just like it.
Annette Messenger Further to my previous post, the Raleigh was a full sized Sports with , I think , 26 inch wheels .
Ralph Barnett I saved up and brought a bike from Leitch cycles. Took me 2 years
Ed Dando i got a bike from leitch cycles a raleigh gazzele i used to race it in the dobson road races roadster class haa
Suzi Kiely I was a paper GIRL about 1980. Gladstone... only about 45 papers but one house was about a mile away from the rest.... Heard from the previous paper BOY that if you took it up the long driveway they tipped you occasionally. They NEVER tipped me once... Sinclairs I think they were... misers
Julia Quin Suzi, I was also a paper GIRL!! Nobody else wanted the Mount Street paper route so it just cycled through me, my brothers and pretty much everyone in our street!
Graham Messenger Suzi - I hope you kept the very outside paper (you know, the one that got the wettest) for them.
Heather Newby Mum made me ride an old fashioned wartime bike .. ll the other kids had modern bikes with pointy handlebars.
Julia Quin Heather, I desperately wanted a Chopper but Mum and Dad bought me a Cruiser...so gutted...!
Suzi Kiely I always lived in hope they would give me some bloody money Graham Messenger lol
Suzi Kiely I had a cruiser it was purple with a chopper flag I loved it!
Suzi Kiely I did have a Healing ten speed by the time I did the papers
Martin Burt Leitch cycles did alright out of the paperboys I reckon
Martin Burt And girls
Heather Newby I would be happy with a Cruiser..this is what she made me ride. One day I decided to take a risk and ride it downtown on my way home from school. I passed a group of schoolboys, amongst whom was my current crush. I wished the earth would swallow me up. The other girls had cool bikes with pointy handlebars. I have lasting psychological damage from that episode
Alan Messenger I learnt to ride on Mum's bike, it was like that
Deb Griffiths that's a cool bike Heather Newby,would love it now
Graham Messenger Martin I remember biking down to the Star office from Marist over the old pedestrian bridge at the station. Brake failure on the steep part despite furious back-peddling and I crashed into the fence at the sharp bend. Bent the forks right back into the frame. I had to run the bike down to the bike shop and they fitted new forks in about 30 minutes and I wasn't even late for the papers. Can't remember what it cost me though.
Sue Scott I had my mums old bike and then another second hand one - beat walking and helped my best friends dad worked at the bike shop. Was a newer model than yours but no back brakes and had three gears ....
Heather Newby Susan Marley had a cool bike.
Heather Newby I used to bike down by the goods sheds to go across the swingbridge and sometimes ,my bike wheels would get caught in the railway line so I learnt how to negotiate the railway lines without falling off
Gaelyn Watson I was a paper girl delivering papers in Dunollie my wage payed for my spending money on my swimming camps.
Owen Ashby Did the Grey Star run of selling papers at the hospital 1974 -1978, sometimes did sunday papers, would swap one for freash loaf of bread shannon and glens bakery
Brenda Brown What about Posties 17 miles every day 6 days a week 7 am till finish. huge leather bag on front and 2 pannier bags either side of back wheel and overflow bags at most shops on round these were extra to what could be carried on cycle.wet or fine their was only one day off. Hands used to freeze on cold wet days
Brian McIntyre Oh! Postie you win Brenda Barry Brown
Leslie McKendry Well when you had quality 'Posties' like Kerry Hulme, well...
Pamela Honey This story bought back memories of delivering the grey star over half of Dobson. We would pick up our papers from Alex Coutts house on the main road. Didn't matter how wet the day there was no mum too drive us around
Brian McIntyre Graham Messenger your post is so similar to what I have written into my life story of my days with the Press and the Evening Star just like you
Laurie Anisy Hi guys and girls, great stories.
Vernon Pattinson did the Dobson run as well back in the 60s
Don Hutton I have probably mentioned on other posts that I was a Greymouth Evening Star paper boy for a couple of years c.1950. I "inherited" the run (Franklin St > Shakespeare St > Marsden Rd > Palmerston St) from my brother Graham Hutton. The boss was Joe Wilson assisted by Athol Keown. We collected the subs once a fortnight on Saturday morning and my pay was 10/- per week. Some of the Star employees included Arthur Fong, Joe Quinn, Edmund Stackhouse and Graeme Barrow. We encountered Frank Kennedy, taxi driver, who got a bit of a hard time from the boys. Paper boys included Tom Costelloe, Ian and Ross Grant, Eion McClennan, Ron Boot and others. My run had about 70 customers some of whom were really fussy about where the paper landed. We carried the papers in a sacking bag on our bikes. They had to be rolled with pasted paper wrappers before delivery. Rolling and bending, the old practice, was not allowed. We sometimes had races to see who could roll their papers the fastest. Ian Grant was very quick - his dad was the fire chief!!
Graham Messenger It's great to see some of these stories get another round. There must be so many people that started their working life in these sorts of jobs. The milk runners were another lot that were out so early in the morning. And there must have been dozens working in shops after school as well - I was working in Walter Dove's grocery shop (next to the ABC) up until I left school. Sadly it doesn't happen now all that much.
September 4 at 7:22pm · Unlike · 2
Brian McIntyre PAPER BOY
At around thirteen years old I was bought a secondhand push bike by Mum and Dad, and I got myself a job as a paperboy, delivering “The Press.” “The Press,” arrived in Greymouth from Christchurch on the rail car, which arrived at the Greymouth Railway station at 6-00 a.m.
Big fat Dave Saunders would count out the number of newspapers each runner had to deliver and then we would roll each paper and secure it with a rubber band, cut from a bike tube. I had only 57 papers to deliver in the Shakespeare’s St, Marsden Rd, and Palmerston St area. It doesn’t sound many papers, but being the big fat “Press” it was a lot of bulk to carry on a bike. Pay was not very much, considering I had to go to each house, once a fortnight to collect the paper money, this was a real hassle. One morning, with my usual accuracy, I threw Mr Fairmaid’s newspaper from the street towards his front porch; it must have been affected by the gravitational pull of the moon, being so early in the morning. The newspaper went through the closed window beside the porch end on and blew out a round hole, not much rounder then the newspaper roll. I knew Mr Fairmaid was a big wig on the Harbour Board and he drove a Jowet Javlin car. [Similar in looks to a VW car.] I took two or three deep breaths, stuck out what would to have been my chest and went in to tell them I had broken the window. They were very good about it, and thanked me for coming in to tell them about the window. After that episode, I took the paper every morning, right around the back to the kitchen door, “Crawler.” That Christmas I received 5 pounds, [our old currency] for a Christmas tip from them. Hell, 5 pounds, was a week’s wages for an adult working full time. Speaking of working full time, unemployment was unknown in those days. I got sick of delivering “The Press” and left after training a replacement. My next job, was delivering the “Greymouth Argus,” which was so thin, it was known as “the one minute silence,” that’s how long it to read it. That was a 5-00 am start and was around the town area, and very cold with the wind, that comes down through the town. I only did that for about three weeks. Too early and too cold. It didn’t take me long, to get a run with the “Greymouth Evening Star” with only about 30 papers to deliver, but a long ride. I went out as far as Kaiata, after starting at Burrell’s at the top of Omoto Rd, and the big plus was, I didn’t have to “collect” as the customers had to pay at the Newspaper Office. Because of that, the pay was less. During my career as a newspaper boy, I sold my second hand bike that Mum and Dad had bought me and traded it in on a new one, a “Coventry Eagle” from Nixon and Leach. It was a good bike but hell, it was unbelievably heavy.
Peter Gray Yep, remember doing the Runanga run @ primary school, Ch Ch Press, Evening Star & the Star Sports, it was a 7 day run, The Star was yesterdays edition & the Press came over in the Railcar so Monday morning was a bonus with only the Press, 12 shillings & 6 p a week. The guys who did the Argus got a Quid for delivering a couple of pages, always joked about the Argus "throw it in the air & read it on the way down"
Don Hutton 5 quid!! Brian McIntyre. And I thought I did well getting half a crown Christmas tip from Leo Coffey, John Shirley Coffey's father who drove a Jaguar!! Obviously, some of your Press customers were my Star customers like Matt Fairmaid's grandparents. Where tips were given the best of the rest was probably 6d.
Brian McIntyre That £5 was unbelievable and Dad really quizzed me about it
Brian McIntyre I like your Argus quote Peter Gray
Graham Messenger A lot of people were very generous with their tips. It must have got expensive at Christmas as they were probably tipping the milk kids and the rubbish collectors as well. When I look back I realise that they must have really appreciated the service.
Don Hutton We used to put out bottles of beer for the rubbish man at Christmas.
Matt Fairmaid Wonder if Grandad Fairmaid had his glasses on when giving you the fiver Brian McIntyre
Gail Brown I remember being dragged out of bed on miserable days against my will....lol....to help my brother deliver, he used to make me go up the hills while he did down the bottom, and I was too silly to realise for a while. Then one day I caught him leaning up against a lady's kitchen window having a cuppa tea while I trudged up the hills, wasn't impressed, funny what you remember.
Ralph Barnett Brilliant memories well told. I think I earned $20 a fortnight for delivering 50 papers 6 days a week up the steepest streets in Greymouth. Sometimes I'd sell the odd paper for 20 cents but would pay for it later once I'd realised I was short and couldn't finish my round.
Brian McIntyre I couldnt say Matt Fairmaid I was in shock at it being £5 but it really sunk in when Dad told me he got £7 something a week as a married man with three kids. They were nice to me before and after my mishap. Probably didnt cost a fiver to replace the window either
John Rosanowski Got 21/- a week delivering about 120 Grey Stars in Reefton in the mid-1950s. It was good money then. Paid off my Raleigh Sport at 7/6 per week at Hec Wills's sports gear shop.
Don Hutton Was there ever such money to pay those fantastic wages Ralph Barnett and John Rosanowski? Wealth beyond my dreams!
Chippy McLean Had the Press run from the Australasian to South Beachin the early sixties, down to the bridge on one side of the rail line then back on the other side to the hostel. 52 papers and 1 pound a week which went on the bike also from Leitch Cycles. Best part was the tips on collection week, made more money than the run paid
Brian McIntyre Don Hutton Do you remember how we were shown to space out those paper wrappers ready for pasting by dragging your thumb nail down over them which gradually moved each page exposing an edge that then got pasted
Pauline Schafer I used to deliver the Woman's Weekly to the Wallsend and Brunner homes, and when I got to the Wallsend Pub I'd take them in and Mid always gave me a raspberry and lemonade, which was a real treat for me as we didn't have fizzy drink, just cordial, at home.
John Greaney I did the Grey River Argus run back in the late 60's. the run was handed down from one brother to another. The town run. nothing like getting a hot pie at Owen's pie shop in a cold morning. yes the Barber. Swapping paper with Carson McNeil (Press) and heading home. When the Argus ceased I got a 10 pound payment. The Argus died not long after dad . Alex Greaney.
Brian McIntyre I did an Argus run around town too John Greaney so mybe it was the same run. Cant recall where the run went. Didnt do it for long
Tracy Piner Mahon I did the press on a Sunday morning at 6.00 am when we lived up Arnotts heights , I got Stanton crescent and all round Karora , not easy but I did have a 10 speed, thought I was pretty dam cool
John Greaney the town run did all the hotels right down to the gi- gilly and right up to railway station. all the shops and up to as far as frank bells. I think it was around 80 odd papers by way when finished run took over from dad at grey river whitebaiting and waited for mum to take over from me so I could go to school. always late to class.Bill Garth said he never had so much whitebait in his life when I was in his class. I took fresh whitebait every morning. bet the apple
Lyn Moe Is that Brian McIntyre and John Greaney on the right.
Lyn Moe's photo.
Brian McIntyre It is Lyn, where did you get that from?
John Greaney cheques bugger
Ray Vincent early 60' i fist had Star run around Karoro for couple years and either before or after (cannot remember) did Press from Nelson st to overhead bridge at south beach including the hills along the way. remember with the Star laying out the wrappers, adding the paste and rolling the papers. not sure how the Press was done, think with wrappers and paste to start with. into the saddle bags and off on the bike.
The fire in the porters room at the station was great on winter morning. Hated collection time except Xmas when heaps of tips!
Don Hutton Brian McIntyre Yes I remember spreading out the wrappers and still use the "technique" to this day. We wrapped out papers on the big rolls of newsprint that were stacked on their sides over to one side of the printing room.
Brian McIntyre Ray Vincent from memory I did some of the Press flat and others when thinner rolled and with the outer of cigarette packets 10s cut to form a loop to hold them or the thicker ones needed rubber bands cut from bike tubes
Graham Messenger I remember having to add supplements to the Star on some days. We got an extra shilling for that but it was a bit of a pain.
Graham Messenger Does any one know if we can add some of these conversations to recollect? They raise a lot of interest and a lot of first-hand comments that would be great to preserve.
Graham Messenger Brian McIntyre neat trick with the cigarette packets - did you have to smoke a packet of 10s every morning before your paper run?
Brian McIntyre No Graham Messenger just picked them up in the street like bums do today
Brian McIntyre I will put the lot of the relavant ones on to Recollect Graham Messenger under stories
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Sorry if this is a bit long but I guess it is a story familiar to hundreds of Greymouth kids over the years. Paperboys (I don’t remember any girls) were the key to getting the news out to so many families 6 days a week long before the internet and even TV.
I started in about 1964 when I was 10 years old. My first paper round was the Christchurch Press delivery to all of Blaketown except Preston Road. Monday to Saturday I would bike up to the Station by 6 am where all the paperboys gathered in the warmth of George Saunder’s little office waiting for the Christchurch railcar. As the railcar pulled in we would be waiting for the bundles of papers to be thrown out onto the platform. We would drag our bundle into the office, count up our papers, pack them in our leather bag and sling them over the bar of the bike. It was always a struggle because I was only a little feller in those days and those Press papers were quite thick, especially the Saturday edition.
I would head off down Mackay Street in the dark, down to my first delivery of 3 or 4 papers at the Gilmer Hotel, then past the Goods Shed and across the old swing bridge over to Packers Quay. I was always terrified of that swing bridge as the weight of the papers made the bike a bit wobbly getting across the wharf and I had visions of falling off into the river, never to be seen again.
Of course, as we all know, Greymouth has the odd wet day or two, and in the winter it has been known to be downright miserable at times. It was always a struggle to keep the papers dry as there was just a canvas flap on the bag to keep the rain out. Sometimes my legs would be rubbed raw by those thick Saturday papers as I peddled and that was always a killer on those cold winter mornings.
At the end of my round it was off home for breakfast and then on the bike or the bus up to school at Marist.
A couple on things have always stuck in my mind about the Press run. One morning I was peddling down Mackay Street in the dark when a cop suddenly appeared out of the shadows near Albert Street right in front of me and pulled me over for no light on the bike. I told him it had been stolen just that morning and promised to get another one (which I didn’t). Every morning for about the next month I tried to outwit that cop by going down Mawhera Quay or turning left into Tainui Street. I never saw the cop again and convinced myself that I was too clever for him. The truth is that he was probably laughing himself silly watching me peddle all over town trying to avoid him.
On another day there was a huge thunder storm in the morning, blowing a gale and bucketing down. Half way round my run a guy pulled up in a van and loaded me and my papers on board and drove me the rest of the way round. I would leap out with a paper at every letter box and then back in for the next house. I had no idea who he was but I was pretty glad for the help.
After a couple of years delivering the Press I got a run with the Greymouth Star. It was a dream paper run after the Press. Smaller papers, after school delivery and it was just Preston Road where I lived. With the smaller paper I soon developed the knack of being able to pull a paper out of the bag fold into quarters with one hand and stick it in the letter box all without stopping. Just about every house in the street got a paper.
I loved the star job. It was great watching those big presses churning out papers from the big rolls of newsprint. The papers were literally hot off the press and the ink was still a little wet.
With both jobs, delivering the papers was only part of the job. Every two weeks you had to collect payment from each customer and take it up to the office. I remember collecting for the star the week decimal currency came in – 40 cents for two weeks delivery. Mum (Peg Messenger) would never let me leave the house without having counted all the money and reconciled it against the collection book. She made me make up any shortfall which made for good lifetime habits I must say.
Keith White I remember Graham Bone and Eddie Power in the printing room smile emoticon
Alan Messenger Interesting Graham, I had some interesting times delivering the Argus
Graham Messenger Alan - You would have been the fastest paperboy in town.
Leslie McKendry And delivering the Grey Star up Omoto Road had its moments as well.
Alan Messenger Yes true, was also the fastest telegram boy, until I realized that it only meant I had to do more runs
Alan Messenger When I was a telegram boy the Post Office paid us a bike allowance. I used my racing bike because was only bike I had. The acting Chief Postmaster Harry Saba lined us up to check our bikes before paying the allowance. He said they wouldn't pay me because I didn't have 2 brakes. Mudguards and lights. After much argument I got my money. No wonder I was transferred to Head Office
Sandra Wylie I used to do masters st Joyce Cres area and the hospital
Lesley Jean Frogley us girls used to fill in for our brothers at times
Lesley Jean Frogley Loved it
Ralph Barnett This was my first job I earned $20 a fortnight for biking my ass off 6 days a week. Is that child labour??
Johannes Debreuk Yup I did the telegram thing, thinking back it was pretty cool! LOL cant remember if we got paid.... yeah must have!!
Martin Burt I had the Marsden road and Boddytown run. Also a brief run with the chch star, Argus as well as press. One of them i had the town run, cant remember which paper, but was a lot of raspberry and cokes on collection day
Heather Newby Graham Messenger did your bike wheels ever get stuck in the railway lines near the Goods sheds? The lines just before the swing bridge? that happened to me a couple of times and I fell off my bike..
Heather Newby interesting reminiscing re the papers Graham Messenger
Martin Burt Pushbikes and railway lines, guaranteed to hit the deck. Used to do it all the time when I was parcel boy for Hays. Delivery to Cobden, wet day, hit the road on the bloody lines
Michael Minchin My father used to deliver the Star, late 50s I think it would've been, I remember him telling me some of the Railway houses at the south end of High St would leave their front doors open and he would try and land the papers up their hallways
Martin Burt I had a few porches to aim at for tips smile emoticon
Jo Pearce I took over the Press delivery run in Ross from the other 4 Sheard kids before me, easy way for Manera's store to replace delivery kids, family of 5 kids lasted about 8 years I guess smile emoticon
Glenn Johnston When in Hoki I didn't have to collect the subs as part of the Press job but did for the Grey Star run. The Grey Star subs collection was an additional payment to that of delivering the papers. Think it was once a month we collected the subs for the Star.
Brian McIntyre Great reading and to know that I was not the only mug out there ,,,,,,,,,,, PAPER BOY
At around thirteen years old I was bought a second-hand push bike by Mum and Dad, and I got myself a job as a paperboy, delivering “The Press.” “The Press,” arrived in Greymouth from Christchurch on the rail car, which arrived at the Greymouth Railway station at 6-00 a.m.
Big fat Dave Saunders would count out the number of newspapers each runner had to deliver and then we would roll each paper and secure it with a rubber band, cut from a bike tube. I had only 57 papers to deliver in the Shakespeare’s St, Marsden Rd, and Palmerston St area. It doesn’t sound many papers, but being the big fat “Press” it was a lot of bulk to carry on a bike. Pay was not very much, considering I had to go to each house, once a fortnight to collect the paper money, this was a real hassle. One morning, with my usual accuracy, I threw Mr Fairmaid’s newspaper from the street towards his front porch; it must have been affected by the gravitational pull of the moon, being so early in the morning. The newspaper went through the closed window beside the porch end on and blew out a round hole, not much rounder then the newspaper roll. I knew Mr Fairmaid was a big wig on the Harbour Board and he drove a Jowet Javlin car. [Similar in looks to a VW car.] I took two or three deep breaths, stuck out what would to have been my chest and went in to tell them I had broken the window. They were very good about it, and thanked me for coming in to tell them about the window. After that episode, I took the paper every morning, right around the back to the kitchen door, “Crawler.” That Christmas I received 5 pounds, [our old currency] for a Christmas tip from them. Hell, 5 pounds, was a week’s wages for an adult working full time. Speaking of working full time, unemployment was unknown in those days. I got sick of delivering “The Press” and left after training a replacement. My next job, was delivering the “Greymouth Argus,” which was so thin, it was known as “the one minute silence,” that’s how long it to read it. That was a 5-00 am start and was around the town area, and very cold with the wind, that comes down through the town. I only did that for about three weeks. Too early and too cold. It didn’t take me long, to get a run with the “Greymouth Evening Star” with only about 30 papers to deliver, but a long ride. I went out as far as Kaiata, after starting at Burrell’s at the top of Omoto Rd, and the big plus was, I didn’t have to “collect” as the customers had to pay at the Newspaper Office. Because of that, the pay was less. During my career as a newspaper boy, I sold my second hand bike that Mum and Dad had bought me and traded it in on a new one, a “Coventry Eagle” from Nixon and Leach. It was a good bike but hell, it was unbelievably heavy.
Graham Messenger Some great comments here. Isn't it good how things posted here stir up so many old memories? People in those days generally were appreciative of their paperboys (and girls) and I always collected plenty of tips, usually 3d or 6d, on collection days. The Christmas collection was always good and I would often get a 10 bob or a pound note (Google it children). Also - being a paperboy often gave you extra opportunities. I sold programs at the Industries Fair for a few years which was good money. My favorite spot was at the gates at the Boundary Road end. One year (1965?) I sold programs for a big midweek game at Rugby Park (perhaps Sth. Africa vs West Coast?) - however I got into trouble over that one as we only had the afternoon off from Marist if we were actually going to the game. At school the next day Brother Julius made us all write a game report and I didn't even know the result - got another caning for that effort.
Brian McIntyre Graham Messenger In your Paper Boy posting I relived so many of my memories in your story, thanks mate
Graham Messenger Brian - they really were good days. Good exercise, work ethic and responsibility. It was bloody cold on the station at 6am though.
Malcolm Howell Good reading Graham. I was also a paper boy. Briefly in about 1958 when Neil Thorpe had the Star Sun agency in his deli store in Albert Street and then 59-62 for the Gremouth Evening Star. The printing team was Eddie Power & Charlie Rixon. Then later came Jim Negri & Graham Bone. We had one girl delivering papers in Omoto and Kaiata then. That was Marua Kenning. My round covered part CBD, albert, Lord, herbert, lombard and Turamaha Streets. Last paper was to Santa Fe milk bar. There were mostly elderly people in this area and I have to say they were lovely to deal with. Wet or cold - we got the paper to them. Brian Jacobs took over my run. In later years, the paperboys, never forgot each other and where we worked. Ken Munday, Chip Robinson, Barry Sweetman, Brian Beban, Costello, Gary Cowan, Graham Clements, etc etc. Great days under Managers Wilson & Keown. Senior in accounts was Tony Negri.
Brian McIntyre Just re read it again Graham Messenger and yes the bit about the paper bag rubbing against your leg creating a red rash and what about where your toes kicked the bottom corner of the bag every time the pedals revolved which eventually wore a hole through the bag. Must have been tough on the school shoes with those gristle soles too
Graham Messenger Malcolm - I thought you were going to say that you were the cop that got me and was still looking for me.
Brian McIntyre Went through my mind too Graham Messenger
Malcolm Howell Relax mate - someone else confessed.
Deb Griffiths I was a paper girl,saved up & bought a horse from $ earned
Graham Messenger Deb - that would have made the paper run easier. LOL
Malcolm Howell I actually got stopped myself cycling down Tainui Street to grab an early whitebaiting pozzie. My light was going off and on as their was a wiring short against the frame. This Constable made a big thing that although my light was working and I did have one, it did not comply with the regulations. Why he was worried about my bike light I don't know. Especially when it was at a time when all the Greymouth business area shops were being burgled. ie: early 60's.
Graham Messenger The cop never checked that I actually had papers in that big bulging bag on the bar.
Brian McIntyre Graham Messenger I loved your comment about Deb Griffiths' horse
Annette Messenger paperboys a bunch of sissies should have tried K Stores grocery bike with bags of chook mash & wheat in a steel box over small front wheel, real nosedive setup and as heavy as a small van ,with a single speed back pedal brake rear .wheel Shoulnt moan , helped me get a new Raleigh 20with 3 speed hub and front wheel dynamo hub..
Brian McIntyre I remember that bike and another at the Mawhera Butcher shop with that box like frame out the front that did not turn when you turned the handle bars. I never rode one but can quite imagine there would have been a few spills in learning to ride them
Graham Messenger John - yep did the K Stores bike as well when I worked there. It was a shocker to ride. I used to deliver to a house near the Gilmer and it was always dicing with death on that ride. Every time I see 'Open all Hours' on the tele I laugh because Granville has one just like it.
Annette Messenger Further to my previous post, the Raleigh was a full sized Sports with , I think , 26 inch wheels .
Ralph Barnett I saved up and brought a bike from Leitch cycles. Took me 2 years
Ed Dando i got a bike from leitch cycles a raleigh gazzele i used to race it in the dobson road races roadster class haa
Suzi Kiely I was a paper GIRL about 1980. Gladstone... only about 45 papers but one house was about a mile away from the rest.... Heard from the previous paper BOY that if you took it up the long driveway they tipped you occasionally. They NEVER tipped me once... Sinclairs I think they were... misers
Julia Quin Suzi, I was also a paper GIRL!! Nobody else wanted the Mount Street paper route so it just cycled through me, my brothers and pretty much everyone in our street!
Graham Messenger Suzi - I hope you kept the very outside paper (you know, the one that got the wettest) for them.
Heather Newby Mum made me ride an old fashioned wartime bike .. ll the other kids had modern bikes with pointy handlebars.
Julia Quin Heather, I desperately wanted a Chopper but Mum and Dad bought me a Cruiser...so gutted...!
Suzi Kiely I always lived in hope they would give me some bloody money Graham Messenger lol
Suzi Kiely I had a cruiser it was purple with a chopper flag I loved it!
Suzi Kiely I did have a Healing ten speed by the time I did the papers
Martin Burt Leitch cycles did alright out of the paperboys I reckon
Martin Burt And girls
Heather Newby I would be happy with a Cruiser..this is what she made me ride. One day I decided to take a risk and ride it downtown on my way home from school. I passed a group of schoolboys, amongst whom was my current crush. I wished the earth would swallow me up. The other girls had cool bikes with pointy handlebars. I have lasting psychological damage from that episode
Alan Messenger I learnt to ride on Mum's bike, it was like that
Deb Griffiths that's a cool bike Heather Newby,would love it now
Graham Messenger Martin I remember biking down to the Star office from Marist over the old pedestrian bridge at the station. Brake failure on the steep part despite furious back-peddling and I crashed into the fence at the sharp bend. Bent the forks right back into the frame. I had to run the bike down to the bike shop and they fitted new forks in about 30 minutes and I wasn't even late for the papers. Can't remember what it cost me though.
Sue Scott I had my mums old bike and then another second hand one - beat walking and helped my best friends dad worked at the bike shop. Was a newer model than yours but no back brakes and had three gears ....
Heather Newby Susan Marley had a cool bike.
Heather Newby I used to bike down by the goods sheds to go across the swingbridge and sometimes ,my bike wheels would get caught in the railway line so I learnt how to negotiate the railway lines without falling off
Gaelyn Watson I was a paper girl delivering papers in Dunollie my wage payed for my spending money on my swimming camps.
Owen Ashby Did the Grey Star run of selling papers at the hospital 1974 -1978, sometimes did sunday papers, would swap one for freash loaf of bread shannon and glens bakery
Brenda Brown What about Posties 17 miles every day 6 days a week 7 am till finish. huge leather bag on front and 2 pannier bags either side of back wheel and overflow bags at most shops on round these were extra to what could be carried on cycle.wet or fine their was only one day off. Hands used to freeze on cold wet days
Brian McIntyre Oh! Postie you win Brenda Barry Brown
Leslie McKendry Well when you had quality 'Posties' like Kerry Hulme, well...
Pamela Honey This story bought back memories of delivering the grey star over half of Dobson. We would pick up our papers from Alex Coutts house on the main road. Didn't matter how wet the day there was no mum too drive us around
Brian McIntyre Graham Messenger your post is so similar to what I have written into my life story of my days with the Press and the Evening Star just like you
Laurie Anisy Hi guys and girls, great stories.
Vernon Pattinson did the Dobson run as well back in the 60s
Don Hutton I have probably mentioned on other posts that I was a Greymouth Evening Star paper boy for a couple of years c.1950. I "inherited" the run (Franklin St > Shakespeare St > Marsden Rd > Palmerston St) from my brother Graham Hutton. The boss was Joe Wilson assisted by Athol Keown. We collected the subs once a fortnight on Saturday morning and my pay was 10/- per week. Some of the Star employees included Arthur Fong, Joe Quinn, Edmund Stackhouse and Graeme Barrow. We encountered Frank Kennedy, taxi driver, who got a bit of a hard time from the boys. Paper boys included Tom Costelloe, Ian and Ross Grant, Eion McClennan, Ron Boot and others. My run had about 70 customers some of whom were really fussy about where the paper landed. We carried the papers in a sacking bag on our bikes. They had to be rolled with pasted paper wrappers before delivery. Rolling and bending, the old practice, was not allowed. We sometimes had races to see who could roll their papers the fastest. Ian Grant was very quick - his dad was the fire chief!!
Graham Messenger It's great to see some of these stories get another round. There must be so many people that started their working life in these sorts of jobs. The milk runners were another lot that were out so early in the morning. And there must have been dozens working in shops after school as well - I was working in Walter Dove's grocery shop (next to the ABC) up until I left school. Sadly it doesn't happen now all that much.
September 4 at 7:22pm · Unlike · 2
Brian McIntyre PAPER BOY
At around thirteen years old I was bought a secondhand push bike by Mum and Dad, and I got myself a job as a paperboy, delivering “The Press.” “The Press,” arrived in Greymouth from Christchurch on the rail car, which arrived at the Greymouth Railway station at 6-00 a.m.
Big fat Dave Saunders would count out the number of newspapers each runner had to deliver and then we would roll each paper and secure it with a rubber band, cut from a bike tube. I had only 57 papers to deliver in the Shakespeare’s St, Marsden Rd, and Palmerston St area. It doesn’t sound many papers, but being the big fat “Press” it was a lot of bulk to carry on a bike. Pay was not very much, considering I had to go to each house, once a fortnight to collect the paper money, this was a real hassle. One morning, with my usual accuracy, I threw Mr Fairmaid’s newspaper from the street towards his front porch; it must have been affected by the gravitational pull of the moon, being so early in the morning. The newspaper went through the closed window beside the porch end on and blew out a round hole, not much rounder then the newspaper roll. I knew Mr Fairmaid was a big wig on the Harbour Board and he drove a Jowet Javlin car. [Similar in looks to a VW car.] I took two or three deep breaths, stuck out what would to have been my chest and went in to tell them I had broken the window. They were very good about it, and thanked me for coming in to tell them about the window. After that episode, I took the paper every morning, right around the back to the kitchen door, “Crawler.” That Christmas I received 5 pounds, [our old currency] for a Christmas tip from them. Hell, 5 pounds, was a week’s wages for an adult working full time. Speaking of working full time, unemployment was unknown in those days. I got sick of delivering “The Press” and left after training a replacement. My next job, was delivering the “Greymouth Argus,” which was so thin, it was known as “the one minute silence,” that’s how long it to read it. That was a 5-00 am start and was around the town area, and very cold with the wind, that comes down through the town. I only did that for about three weeks. Too early and too cold. It didn’t take me long, to get a run with the “Greymouth Evening Star” with only about 30 papers to deliver, but a long ride. I went out as far as Kaiata, after starting at Burrell’s at the top of Omoto Rd, and the big plus was, I didn’t have to “collect” as the customers had to pay at the Newspaper Office. Because of that, the pay was less. During my career as a newspaper boy, I sold my second hand bike that Mum and Dad had bought me and traded it in on a new one, a “Coventry Eagle” from Nixon and Leach. It was a good bike but hell, it was unbelievably heavy.
Peter Gray Yep, remember doing the Runanga run @ primary school, Ch Ch Press, Evening Star & the Star Sports, it was a 7 day run, The Star was yesterdays edition & the Press came over in the Railcar so Monday morning was a bonus with only the Press, 12 shillings & 6 p a week. The guys who did the Argus got a Quid for delivering a couple of pages, always joked about the Argus "throw it in the air & read it on the way down"
Don Hutton 5 quid!! Brian McIntyre. And I thought I did well getting half a crown Christmas tip from Leo Coffey, John Shirley Coffey's father who drove a Jaguar!! Obviously, some of your Press customers were my Star customers like Matt Fairmaid's grandparents. Where tips were given the best of the rest was probably 6d.
Brian McIntyre That £5 was unbelievable and Dad really quizzed me about it
Brian McIntyre I like your Argus quote Peter Gray
Graham Messenger A lot of people were very generous with their tips. It must have got expensive at Christmas as they were probably tipping the milk kids and the rubbish collectors as well. When I look back I realise that they must have really appreciated the service.
Don Hutton We used to put out bottles of beer for the rubbish man at Christmas.
Matt Fairmaid Wonder if Grandad Fairmaid had his glasses on when giving you the fiver Brian McIntyre
Gail Brown I remember being dragged out of bed on miserable days against my will....lol....to help my brother deliver, he used to make me go up the hills while he did down the bottom, and I was too silly to realise for a while. Then one day I caught him leaning up against a lady's kitchen window having a cuppa tea while I trudged up the hills, wasn't impressed, funny what you remember.
Ralph Barnett Brilliant memories well told. I think I earned $20 a fortnight for delivering 50 papers 6 days a week up the steepest streets in Greymouth. Sometimes I'd sell the odd paper for 20 cents but would pay for it later once I'd realised I was short and couldn't finish my round.
Brian McIntyre I couldnt say Matt Fairmaid I was in shock at it being £5 but it really sunk in when Dad told me he got £7 something a week as a married man with three kids. They were nice to me before and after my mishap. Probably didnt cost a fiver to replace the window either
John Rosanowski Got 21/- a week delivering about 120 Grey Stars in Reefton in the mid-1950s. It was good money then. Paid off my Raleigh Sport at 7/6 per week at Hec Wills's sports gear shop.
Don Hutton Was there ever such money to pay those fantastic wages Ralph Barnett and John Rosanowski? Wealth beyond my dreams!
Chippy McLean Had the Press run from the Australasian to South Beachin the early sixties, down to the bridge on one side of the rail line then back on the other side to the hostel. 52 papers and 1 pound a week which went on the bike also from Leitch Cycles. Best part was the tips on collection week, made more money than the run paid
Brian McIntyre Don Hutton Do you remember how we were shown to space out those paper wrappers ready for pasting by dragging your thumb nail down over them which gradually moved each page exposing an edge that then got pasted
Pauline Schafer I used to deliver the Woman's Weekly to the Wallsend and Brunner homes, and when I got to the Wallsend Pub I'd take them in and Mid always gave me a raspberry and lemonade, which was a real treat for me as we didn't have fizzy drink, just cordial, at home.
John Greaney I did the Grey River Argus run back in the late 60's. the run was handed down from one brother to another. The town run. nothing like getting a hot pie at Owen's pie shop in a cold morning. yes the Barber. Swapping paper with Carson McNeil (Press) and heading home. When the Argus ceased I got a 10 pound payment. The Argus died not long after dad . Alex Greaney.
Brian McIntyre I did an Argus run around town too John Greaney so mybe it was the same run. Cant recall where the run went. Didnt do it for long
Tracy Piner Mahon I did the press on a Sunday morning at 6.00 am when we lived up Arnotts heights , I got Stanton crescent and all round Karora , not easy but I did have a 10 speed, thought I was pretty dam cool
John Greaney the town run did all the hotels right down to the gi- gilly and right up to railway station. all the shops and up to as far as frank bells. I think it was around 80 odd papers by way when finished run took over from dad at grey river whitebaiting and waited for mum to take over from me so I could go to school. always late to class.Bill Garth said he never had so much whitebait in his life when I was in his class. I took fresh whitebait every morning. bet the apple
Lyn Moe Is that Brian McIntyre and John Greaney on the right.
Lyn Moe's photo.
Brian McIntyre It is Lyn, where did you get that from?
John Greaney cheques bugger
Ray Vincent early 60' i fist had Star run around Karoro for couple years and either before or after (cannot remember) did Press from Nelson st to overhead bridge at south beach including the hills along the way. remember with the Star laying out the wrappers, adding the paste and rolling the papers. not sure how the Press was done, think with wrappers and paste to start with. into the saddle bags and off on the bike.
The fire in the porters room at the station was great on winter morning. Hated collection time except Xmas when heaps of tips!
Don Hutton Brian McIntyre Yes I remember spreading out the wrappers and still use the "technique" to this day. We wrapped out papers on the big rolls of newsprint that were stacked on their sides over to one side of the printing room.
Brian McIntyre Ray Vincent from memory I did some of the Press flat and others when thinner rolled and with the outer of cigarette packets 10s cut to form a loop to hold them or the thicker ones needed rubber bands cut from bike tubes
Graham Messenger I remember having to add supplements to the Star on some days. We got an extra shilling for that but it was a bit of a pain.
Graham Messenger Does any one know if we can add some of these conversations to recollect? They raise a lot of interest and a lot of first-hand comments that would be great to preserve.
Graham Messenger Brian McIntyre neat trick with the cigarette packets - did you have to smoke a packet of 10s every morning before your paper run?
Brian McIntyre No Graham Messenger just picked them up in the street like bums do today
Brian McIntyre I will put the lot of the relavant ones on to Recollect Graham Messenger under stories
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West Coast New Zealand History (8th Sep 2015). Newspaper girls and boys. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 5th Apr 2026 02:34, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/12840