Ernest Alexander Butt c.1894-1966

Many readers may remember Ernie Butt, a journalist who worked for the Waikato Times from 1951 to 1966. Butt was a distinctive figure around Hamilton, cycling around on an old bike, always dressed formally in jacket, tie and hat. Butt began his journalism career at 15, working for the Northern Advocate in Whangarei. However, by January 1917, when his name was drawn in the ballot for military service, he was living in New Plymouth. In May 1917, at the time of his marriage, he is described as SergeantMajor Ernest Butt of the Defence Staff, Hawera. He and Hilda Sanders married in Thames with ‘‘a very pretty wedding’’ (Thames Star, May 10, 1917). In 1919, they shifted to Morrinsville where he held the positions of the New Zealand Herald and Morrinsville Star reporter. They shifted to Hamilton in 1923, Butt still working for the Herald, until he joined the Waikato Times staff.

In October 1941, Butt and another journalist were praised by the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, for their admirable, well-condensed and accurate reports of court proceedings, saying ‘‘you may convey my remarks to your respective managers’’.

The Butt family lived at 17 East Street, Claudelands, and Betty Laloli Smith has covered the family story in her book Next Stop … Claudelands. Included is a family portrait of Ernest, Hilda and their six children. The eldest son, Charles, was

LYN WILLIAMS