Although it is getting near to the holiday season, trade is pretty dull at present, and business seems to be at a standstill. It was hoped that there would have been work done here for the exhibition, but the hopes have not been realized as yet.

A special general meeting of the Auckland Branch of the Typographical Society was held on September 28th for the purpose of considering three proposals forwarded from the Executive Council of Wellington, viz.:—(1) To amend the present rules so as to admit book-binders and paper-rulers to the same privilegs as the compositor. (2) An addition to general rules giving a clearer definition re out-of-work allowance; and (3) whether this Society should sever its connexion with the Australian Typographical Union. The rules were unanimously amended so as to admit book-binders and lithographers, the meeting believing that « unity is strength. » The addition to the general rules was also passed. Concerning the third question, there was much discussion, a divided opinion being held by the meeting, one half desiring that the Executive Council should be done away with, and the rest that the Australian Typographical Union should be cut adrift. At length it was decided to remain affiliated to the A.T.U. Mr W. J. Macdermott (the President) intimated that he was forced to resign his position on account of the press of his many duties. The Vice-President (Mr J. Turner) was elected to fill his position pro tern.

Messrs A. Tibbutt (Herald jobbing room) and J. Pearce (Thames) have taken clearance cards for Australia.

There seems to be a considerable amount of uneasiness felt over Typographical Society matters just now, consequent upon the unsettled state of the headquarters of the Council. Some two months ago the Auckland branch received intimation that the Executive Council would be located in Auckland for the next term, and accordingly elected some of their best men to the various offices connected with the Council. After all arrangements were completed, the old Executive Council refused to allow it to come up to Auckland, and now I find by a letter that has been received this week from Wellington that the old Executive Council has rescinded the resolution, and finally resolved that the Council shall now be located in Wellington for the next term, thus ignoring Auckland altogether. There have also been voting papers received here from the Empire city asking us to vote for the Council to be permanently located in that city, and asking for a vote on some alteration in the rules of the Executive Council, making the Council to consist of seven members only, and giving branches the right to elect some one in Wellington as their representative on the Council. It is to be hoped that affairs will be settled amicably with all the branches, so that they may be united to defend the principles of the trade.

The Auckland Star sometimes favors its readers with « spirited » illustrations of current events, and has published several notable examples, such as the scene of opening the Calliope dock and the reception of the new Governor, both of which were not equal to the rudest designs used for tea-papers. The latest specimen of the art is the portrait of John Burns ( « the champion of the people » in the dock strike) which I enclose. Surely the « art preservative of arts » is degenerating. [The engraving enclosed seems to have appropriated all the dirt of the machine rollers during a long « run. » The eyes and beard are represented by large black patches, and the block as a whole is scarcely to be recognized as representing a human face.]