SMH - SMALL, August 7, 1923, at his residence, 12 Ormond St, Paddington, JOHN SUTHERLAND SMALL, late of S.H.Herald staff, dearly loved husband of Ann Rebecca Small, & loving father of JamesK., Isabel (Mrs.F.G.Lane), Margaret (Mrs.C.Smith), John S., George W., Rose E.(Mrs.J.B.Cassidy),Lily (Mrs.K.N.Curruthers) & Violet (Mrs.A.E.Rogers) in his 74th year.
A VETERAN COMPOSITOR DIES -- UNIQUE RECORD OF SERVICE.
SMH -- Mr. John Sutherland SMALL, who died at his residence at Ormond Street, Paddington, yesterday, was one of the oldest employees of the "Sydney Morning Herald" and "Sydney Mail" staffs. His Association, and that of the members of his family, with the "Herald" constitutes a unique record in lenght of service to the one employer.
Mr. Small, who was 74 years of age, joined the firm of John Fairfax & Sons, Ltd., as a lad in 1862, being subsequently apprenticed in the composing department. During his life he witnessed wonderful progress in printing machinery & mechanical devices for newspaper production. A native of Lambeth, England, he arrived in Sydney with his parents in the early "fifties". His father, Mr J.K. Small, was originally engaged by Mr. John Fairfax, founder of the firm of John Fairfax & Sons, to take a "frame" in the "Herald" office, but owing to the outbreak of an infectious disease in the premises adjoining his home he was prevented by the authorities from leaving, & the late Mr. Samuel Cook was appointed to the position. Soon afterwards Mr. Small, senior, was appointed to the "Empire", which was then conducted by Mr. Henry Parkes, but 12 months later he joined the "Herald", and his record of service was about 40 years.
Following in his father's footsteps, the late Mr.Small became apprenticed, & he remained in the employ of the "Herald" for 61 years. Mr.Smalls three sons also joined the "Herald" as apprentices, & their Combined period of service, to-gether with that of their father & grandfather, totals 187 years. At one stage grandfather, father & son worked side by side, & their combined length of service totalled 135 years. The late Mr.Small, who had been resident of Paddington for more than 40 years, celebrated his golden wedding in January last year. For a quarter of a century he had acted as a trustee of the "Herald" Benefit Society & Provident Fund, & he was also an ex-member of the board of the N.S.W. Typographical Assn. Mr.Small took a keen interest in Methodist Church affairs. For 20 years he was a trustee of the Paddington Methodist Church. He is survived by three sons, & five daughters - Messrs. J.K., J.S., & G.W. Small, & Mesdames F.G.Lane (Lindfield), C.Smith (Paddington), J.B.Cassidy (Launceston, Tas.), K.N.Curruthers (Vaucluse), & A.E.Rogers.
The Funeral, which will take place this afternoon, will be preceded by a short service at the Paddington Methodist Church, thence for Waverley Cemetery.
