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Typo: A Monthly Newspaper and Literary Review, Volume 2
[trade dispatches]
Under the title of Geysers and Gazers, Mr A. D. Willis has published in pamphlet form a graphic account of a tour through the hot springs district. The notes were originally written for a Wanganui weekly paper, and are now published in a more convenient form, at sixpence. The book is neatly printed, and on the cover is a lithographed illustration of the great Wairakei geyser. It should have a large sale.
The Chicago Tribune, referring to President Cleveland's celebrated « free-trade » message, says: « Its opinions and suggestions are in line with the best interests of the country from every material point of view. It is generally conceded that the government revenues must be reduced, and the only question is whether they shall be reduced in the interests of farmers, working men, and the non-manufacturing class, or solely in the interests of mill and factory bosses. »
One of the most useful books ever written for printers has just been completed by Mr Arthur Powell, barrister-at-law, and late editor of the London Printers' Register. It is entitled The Law Specially Affecting Printers, Publishers, and Newspaper Proprietors. The chapters have been appearing from month in the Printers' Register for a considerable time past, and the work, containing 284 8vo pages, may now be had in separate form. It is a model of thoroughness, and of concise and orderly arrangement, and should be in the library of every printer and publisher.
A trade union of lithographic printers has been formed in the United States with the double object of securing an increased duty on imported lithographed work, and of bringing about a severer construction of the tariff provisions. It is evident that nothing short of absolute prohibition of imported work will satisfy these gentlemen. A counter-agitation has been begun by the importing firms, who will certainly have the sympathy of the purchasing public, and the original agitators will probably find in the end that they have brought about a reduction instead of an increase in the duty.
Among the new applications for patents in the Government Gazette is one by Theophilus le Menant das Chesnais, of Christchurch, Roman Catholic priest, for an improved instrument for copying written matter of any description, diagrams, drawings, plans, maps, music, &c., to be called « The Finograph »
The race for news is so keen in some districts, that the local organs cannot wait for an event to take place before it is recorded. A few days ago, the Temuka Leader announced that the steamer Fifeshire had arrived, and had been visited by a large number of people, who were courteously received by the officers, &c. The item was published on the Thursday morning, and the steamer did not make her appearance until the evening of the same day.
Full reports of the Sydney meeting of « New Zealanders » are to hand. The whole affair was « bogus, » got up by Morgan Morris, of the defunct Echo, in conjunction with the Sydney protection league. The ostensible object was to have a social gathering of New Zealanders in Sydney, and it was understood that it had some reference to a New Zealand sculler then in that city. Those who attended found the room filled with Sydney protectionists, and the resolutions « cut-and-dried. » An indignant protest was made, but the speaker was howled down, and the « resolutions » were telegraphed to this colony.
A worthy priest at Goulburn, N.S.W., has been giving his flock some good practical advice. In a recent sermon he forcibly urged upon them the fulfilment of a much-neglected duty—to pay the printer. This portion of his discourse deserves to be printed in prominent type in every paper in the world. We have no doubt that many a man who is suffering the penalty for a career of crime, if brought to recal his first lapse from the path of rectitude, would find it was the neglect of this fundamental duty. « How often, » said this good pastor, « had the proprietors to lose heavy amounts in paper and postage stamps! and how often did they lose all! To take their papers and not pay for them was positive dishonesty. » Scoffers may talk glibly of the « decline of the pulpit, » but while sound doctrine like this is preached, the pulpit will remain a power in the land. He went on to add that « in the next life they would have to pay the very last farthing. » This may be gratifying to the printer, but his satisfaction must be of a very qualified kind. Could not some means be devised whereby these post mortem payments might be credited to the bank account of the man to whom they rightfully belong?
Three months ago we referred to the peculiar circumstances attending the publication of an article from the Financial Critic, « an influential paper in commercial circles at home. » We mentioned that it was unknown to press directories and postal registers, and that a challenge to produce a copy had not been accepted. The common opinion was that no such paper existed, but that two or three copies of a « bogus » sheet bearing that title had been specially printed either in London or New Zealand. The only alternative supposition was that it was some obscure sheet printed for private circulation. A recent court case, reported in the London Echo, has brought the Critic into notoriety, and revealed its character. The proprietor is one Mr Beall. A worthy named Green is a promoter of companies. Towards the end of the year, when Green was engaged in floating a company, Beall applied to him for an advertisement, stipulating that it must occupy a full page. Mr B. further intimated that two articles —favorable and unfavorable—had been prepared for insertion in the Critic, and significantly inquired which of the two Mr Green would have inserted. Mr G., probably thinking the Critic was as powerless for evil as for good, refused the advertisement, telling Mr Beall he might go to the place of final doom. As might have been expected, the unfavorable article appeared, and, to make it effective, copies of the paper were sent to all the shareholders. Mr Green called upon Mr Beall and thrashed him, with the object, as he asserts, of exposing his system of blackmail in a court of law; but Mr B. took no action against him. At Christmas-time, « taking into consideration the season of the year, » Mr Green (who surely had been reading Christmas literature) « attempted to effect a reconciliation, » and a meeting was arranged. The perfidious Beall made ample preparations. « He bargained with seven ruffians strong, Which were of furious mood »— three of them « professional bruisers » —and when the meeting took place, the eight fell upon the verdant Green, and nearly killed him. In fact, but for the police having been attracted by the disturbance, he probably would have lost his life. He has now taken proceedings, charging Beall with conspiracy to assault and injure him. The actual existence of the Financial Critic has at last been demonstrated, to the satisfaction, no doubt, of those papers which copied its article on « Men of Mark in Finance. » Did Mr Beall write two articles about Sir Julius, and politely ask him which he would prefer to have inserted?