Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 - 1954), Monday 30 August 1948, page 1


DEATH OF MR. HORACE YELLAND

OWNER OF "THE RECORDER" PASSES

AT 65

Long And Honorable Career In Journalism

The death occurred in a private hospital in Adelaide on Friday night of

Mr. William Horace Yelland, owner and former editor of "The Recorder."

He was 65.

His passing brought to a close a long and distinguished journalistic career

which started in 1897 in Broken Hill. Two serious operations in recent months undermined his strength, and death came while he was undergoing

another.

Pirie has lost one of its most tenacious and faithful advocates. For 11 years

he piloted "The Recorder" through troublous days, inspired always by the vision of a greater, better town.

Son of William Baker Yelland, a mining engineer ot tne old scnool wno did much in the pioneering stages or the copper mining industry in tnis State, Mr. Yelland was born iin Moonca (Yorke Peninsula) on July 30, 1883. He was educated at Moonta Mines State School.

The creed ox the father, that noth ing 111 this world could be satistac torily accomplished without hard work and unceasing effort, was im planted in the son, who throughout his life .was always looking for an outlet for his unbounded energy.

The Yelland family moved to Broken Hill, where Horace entered Barrier Technical College. He was 14 years of age when newspaper work beckoned to him and he entered eagerly, becoming a counter and messenger boy with "The Barrier Miner." They were "tough" days on the silver-lead field, and the youth assimilated the groundings of journalism the hard way.

One of his earliest mentors was Mr. O. Von Rieben, who in later life became one of Mr. Yellandi's closest friends and business associates. The young Moonta boy pushed' on in his chosen profession, became a general reporter, identified himself with sporting and musical activities in Broken Hill, and gained wide know-, ledge of affairs of the day.

EARLY DAYS IN CITY

In 1908, at the age of .25, he went to Adelaide to take charge of the periodicals of Messrs. Iiussey and Dillingham, then leading publishers in the city. From there he joined "The Register," adding to an already wide experience in-.the newspaper world.

His next move was to the post of special writer and sub-editor of "The Mail," Adelaide, of which he later be came editor.

In 1923 he joined the late Mr. J. E. Davidson, colleague of his "Bar rier Miner" days, when he founded "The News," Adelaide, taking over the. combined posts of chief of staff and chief sub-editor. It was not long before he was in the editorial chair.

In November, 1931, Mr. Yelland formed as owner Recorder Proprie tary Limited and purchased "The Recorder," and as sole director. and editor entered upon the task of re organising completely its framework. He took over on December 1, 1931, just as Pirie was approaching : the depths of the well-remembered de pression.

About three years after his coming to Pirie -"The Recorder" was victim of Pirie's flood, and after a further seven years the building and plant were severely damaged by fire.

At the end of September, 1941, Mr. Yelland decided that after 44 years of literary and newspaper or ganising 'work the time had come for him to ease the strain. He leased the business to the present management and. retired to 25 Clinton avenue,

Myrtle. Bank, where he resided until

his death.

Mr. Yelland was responsible while connected with "The Mail" and "The News" for the formation of the charity carnival and Father Adelaide Christmas movements, which raised in Adelaide many thousands of pounds for charitable purposes.

For a term he served, as president . of South Australian branch of Aus tralian Journalists' Association. Un able to enlist for war service, he so stood behind returned men after the 1914-18 war in their struggle for re cognition and rehabilitation that Re turned Servicemen's League con ferred upon him its Certificate of Merit as a token of what it thought

of his efforts.

LOVED MUSIC, SPORT

His love for good music, particu-larly vocal, was inspired by his Cor nish ancestry. The famed Quartette Club, Broken Hill, claimed him as a member in his youthful days. He was a keen follower of football and was

conversant with all the finer points of the game. For many years he fol lowed keenly the fortunes of Sturt team in South Australian League.

During his years in Pirie he was several times approached to take im portant- administrative positions in the commercial, community, and sporting spheres, but he declined resolutely, holding that his literary knowledge would be of greater service than his personal presence.

In 1913, he married Miss Ida Violet Field, daughter of the late Walter Thomas Field. Mrs. Yelland is left, and there are three daughters-Mavis (Mrs. K. N. Innes,, Pirie), Jean (Mrs. D. B. McLeod," Adelaide), and Edith (Mrs. White, Adelaide). There are two grandchildren-Peter White and Carolyn McLeod.

The interment will take place to day, the funeral leaving 25 Clinton avenue, Myrtle Bank, at 2.45 for Centennial Park Cemetery.