On 15 August 1834 Nathaniel Lipscomb Kentish published the first issue of the Sydney Times, an independent, pro-emancipist, four-page semi-weekly, which subsequently became a weekly publication. On page 2 of the first issue, with emphasis achieved by heavy use of capital letters, Kentish proposed that the newspaper's line of policy would be independent of principle : 'it shall be our chief aim, and our unremitting endeavour to "Advance Australia;" by which we mean simply to promote the INFORMATION, and with it, THE WEALTH, THE PROSPERITY, and THE HAPPINESS of "THE LAND WE LIVE IN," by emulating the better portion of the FREE PRESS of our accomplished Mother Country, in giving PUBLICITY WITH ECONOMY, to COMMERCIAL, and brief, but AUTHENTIC POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE in which the mass of "The People" is concerned'. On 8 April 1837 Kentish reiterated: 'The principles of this Paper are, as from its establishment have been, those of the moderate WHIG party of England, viz., admitting the necessity, and contending for the propriety, of improvement and reform in every department in which abuses exist, and which must therefore be susceptible of improvement; but without going the length of desiring to infringe, or of sanctioning the infringement of one principle of our admirable constitution in Church and State, as by law established. Its Editor is unshackled, and is expected to write as a gentleman thorougly independent of any party in the colony'.
Regular features included Editorials, Shipping Intelligence, Latest English News, Original Correspondence, Domestic Intelligence, Theatre Reviews and a Poet's Corner. On page 2 of 5 December 1834 issue, Kentish commented on the standard of original poetry submissions: 'So of Poetry. Our character being established as the vehicle of the Australian muse, in justice to our readers and ourselves, we are compelled to select for our Poet's Corner such pieces only, as will do credit to our reputation'.
With sales rising to 1371 copies, the Sydney Times, though irregularly published, finally outstripped its four contemporaries before its final appearance as an Extraordinary issue published on 2 July 1838. In this final issue Kentish notified the 'Colonial Public' that he was unlikely to resume his editorial duties and instead intented to pursue his career as a civil engineer and surveyor.
Source: Australian Dictionary of Biography entry for Kentish, Nathaniel Lipscomb
An accusation against the Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser for not allowing 'a fair field in its columns to any individual publicly attacked to vindicate himself'. Kentish's two part 'vindication', a correspondence entitled 'The "Sydney Times" Company' and a column entitled 'To the Public' follow this letter in the columns of the Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser issue of the 18 October 1838.
A reply to Nathanial Lipscomb Kentish's correspondence entitled 'The "Sydney Times" Company'.
A reply to an advertisement entitled, [Notice: Partners in the 'Sydney Times' Newspaper]. The advertisement caused some correspondence in Sydney newspapers between Nathaniel Lipscomb Kentish and others including William Kerr.
An advertisement advising the public 'that the several Parties, alleged to be Partners in The Sydney Times Newspaper ... are not Partners ... and are in no way connected with the fictitious firm of "N. I. Kentish and Co.".'
The advertisement caused some correspondence in Sydney newspapers between Nathaniel Lipscomb Kentish and others including William Kerr.
A notice from the editor of the Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (16 October 1838): 2, published in the part of the newspaper normally reserved for 'notices to correspondents', distances the newspaper from this advertisement: 'we beg to state that we knew nothing whatever of the advertisement until we saw it in print'.
Terms of subscription for twice-weekly publication: 2d per issue; Sydney subscribers 4s 4d per Quarter in advance or 5s 5d on credit; Country subscribers 6s 6d per Quarter in advance or 7s 7d on credit.
'Although to subscribers the price of each number is but two pence, we cannot give papers away at this price singly; nor will our arrangements admit of any single number sold, unless at one shilling' (Aug. 22, 1834), p.2.
Terms of subscription for weekly publication with effect from Aug.20, 1836 for town and country alike: 10s per Quarter with a sliding discount from 25-50% for subscriptions received in advance.
'Criticises colonial magnates, the press, drunkenness, fashions in dress, lawyers and libertines, and the folly of sending out ships full of women' (Webby)
