BERRY, WILLIAM (1839-1903) was born in Scotland. At the age of 12 he was apprenticed in the composing room of the Scotsman, Edinburgh, and thereafter he educated himself by private study and attending night schools. He was for some years a reader and was assistant foreman in the office. Berry came to New Zealand in 1864 under engagement to the Southern Cross (then owned by Creighton and Scales) and remained on the paper as a reporter till 1868, when he went to the Thames Advertiser which was acquired by A. G. Horton. In 1875 he returned to Auckland, and became editor of the New Zealand Herald which he controlled until his death (on 2 Oct 1903). Berry, who spoke Maori and sympathised with the natives, acted as correspondent for the Southern Cross during the Hauhau war and wrote despatches exposing the treatment of Hauhau women and children.

Morton; N.Z. Herald, 3 Oct 1903; Evening Star, 3 Oct 1903.

Reference: Volume 1, page 48

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