The Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal

The Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal, also published as The Bathurst Free Press, Bathurst Times, Bathurst Argus, Bathurst Daily Argus, Western Times and Western Advocate, was a semiweekly English language broadsheet newspaper published in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia.[1]

Front page of the first issue titled as The Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal, 28 May 1851.

History

The Bathurst Free Press took over from The Bathurst Advocate and was first published on 6 October 1849 by William Farrand. It sought to differentiate itself from the Advocate by changing its title and "being permitted to speak for ourselves in the plural, rather than the singular number".[1] The paper changed its title again on 28 May 1851 to Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal alongside an increase in its subscription rate due to the "pressing demands for early intelligence from the Gold Country".[2]

In 1859, John Charles White took over the publication over the newspaper and it remained in the family's occupation until it ceased distribution in March 1904. When White died in 1884, his sons Charles White (writer) and Gloster Whitetook over as editor and business manager respectively. As editor, Charles used the paper as a platform to advocate for free trade and Federation. This eventually led to a backlash from the community, as local protectionists were openly criticised. Consequently, Charles sold his share of the paper to Gloster in 1902.[3]

The newspaper merged with The Bathurst Times (which had been in publication since 1858[4]) in 1904 and was renamed The Bathurst Argus.[5] Later that year it was renamed The Bathurst Daily Argus and was published under this name until 1909.[6] From 1909 to 1936, the newspaper was published at different times as Bathurst Times and Western Times[7][8][9] before being published as The Western Times from 1936-1963[10] when it was absorbed by The National Advocate and both papers were published as the Western Advocate.[11] The National Advocate had been in publication since 1889.[12]

The Western Times split from the Western Advocate in 1981.[13] Both papers remain in publication.[11][13]

Publication history
Publication nameCommenced publicationCeased publication
Bathurst Free Press18491851
Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal18511904
Bathurst Times18581904
National Advocate18891963
Bathurst Argus19041904
Bathurst Daily Argus19041909
Bathurst Times19091925
Western Times19261931
Bathurst Times19311936
Western Times19361963
Western Advocate1963
Western Times1981

Digitisation

The paper has been digitised as part of the Australian Newspapers Digitisation Program project of the National Library of Australia.[14][15][16]

See also

References
  1. "Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal (NSW : 1851 - 1904)". Trove. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  2. Kirkpatrick, Rod (March 1998). "Read all about it: Bathurst editor jailed for assault". P.A.N.P.A. Bulletin: 62–64.
  3. Theo Barker. "White, Charles (1845–1922)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  4. "Bathurst Times". SLNSW catalogue. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  5. "The Bathurst Argus". State Library of NSW catalogue. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  6. "The Bathurst Daily Argus". State Library of NSW. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  7. "Bathurst Times 1909-1925". State Library of NSW catalogue. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  8. "Western Times 1926-1931". SLNSW Catalogue. State Library of NSW. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  9. "Bathurst Times 1931-1936". SLNSW catalogue. State Library of NSW. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  10. "Western Times 1936-1963". SLNSW catalogue. State Library of NSW. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  11. "Western Advocate". SLNSW catalogue. State Library of NSW. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  12. "National Advocate". SLNSW catalogue. State Library of NSW. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  13. "Western Times". SLNSW catalogue. State Library of NSW. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  14. "Newspaper and magazine titles". Trove. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  15. "Newspaper Digitisation Program". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  16. Brown, Jerelynn (2011). "Tabloids in the State Library of NSW collection: A reflection of life in Australia". Australian Journal of Communication. 38 (2): 107–121.
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