the Daily Mercury, at a salary of 400 pounds a year, Manning became managing director. In 1917, Manning became the chairman of directors and, by 1924, the Manning family had become proprietors of the publication. Manning was devoted to the Daily Mercury and the Mackay district, investing all his savings to that end. The news columns in the Daily Mercury were known to be ‘balanced and straightforward’ as Manning would never permit news to be ‘coloured with animosities.’ ‘Despite the editorial, managerial, and proprietorial demands at the Daily Mercury, W.J. Manning maintained a close and active interest in numerous organisations’ alongside local and state politics. In 1918, Manning unsuccessfully stood against the State Member for Mackay, William Forgan Smith. The Daily Mercury was successful under Manning's control. On 27 July 1932, shareholders agreed to privately register the company and changed its name to Mackay Printing and Publishing Company (Pty.) Ltd. It also bought 50 per cent of Radio 4MK, Mackay's first radio broadcasting service. In 1937, Manning became the director and licensee of the radio station. Manning's wife, Charlotte, died on 10 October 1938 and Manning relinquished editorial control of the Daily Mercury, appointing H.A. Moore as editor. Manning remained the chairman of directors and managers, and secretariat until his death on 24 April 1943. Henry John Manning Henry John "Jack" Manning (1889–1978), son of William Joseph Manning, was born on 6 August 1889. He was educated at Gladstone State School and the Normal School, Brisbane. He undertook a printer's apprenticeship before training as a cadet journalist for The Observer (Gladstone). After his father became principal shareholder of the Daily Mercury in 1910 he had the opportunity to work in the composing room, and as a reporter, sub-editor, gradually preparing for a managerial role. He married Alison Morcom on 21 March 1916. They had two children, one of whom, Clarence Morcom "Clarrie" Manning (1917 – n.d.), played an integral role in the development of PNQ. Clarrie believed the success of the Daily Mercury was due to W.J. Manning's three-pronged plan to modernised the plant, invest money into the newspaper, and employ the right people. Clarence Manning married and had two sons and three daughters. In 1918, Jack became the business manager for the Daily Mercury. He also held other notable positions. He was a board member of the QCPA, becoming chairman in 1934 and holding that position for 43 years.