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Typo: A Monthly Newspaper and Literary Review, Volume 3
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We have to thank several friends for cuttings of press items, and our correspondent « Quad » for some good stories for the « Quoin-Drawer. »
From the office of the American Lithographer and Printer we have a copy of the second annual issue of the Lithographers' and Photographers' Directory. The volume follows the same general plan as that of last year, but is much fuller, and we are glad to see is liberally supported by advertisers. In regard to the United States in particular, it is exceptionally complete. An interesting feature is the numerous inset pages, on which some of the leading American lithographers display their best work. Some of these pages are well worthy of study. The book fills an important place in the reference literature of the trade, and reflects great credit on the enterprising publishers.
Now that Parliament is in session, we hope that the stupidest appointment of which the present ministry has been guilty, that of the customs « expert » —will be cancelled. Aut Seizer, aut nullus, was the motto of the expert, and he seized right and left accordingly. It is a significant fact that that the government have not ventured to take legal proceedings against a single firm thus plundered—most unfairly leaving the importers to take the initiative. Since the Wellington Press published figures proving that the post-entries under the expert regime showed something under £750 short duty recovered by the Customs against nearly £1500 overcharged duties refunded, the new officer has been very quiet. But he still costs the country £800 a year.
An item in our Wellington correspondence last month has brought us two letters—one from Messrs Bock & Cousins, who write that the paragraph in question « is inaccurate as regards a change in the firm. » Our correspondent is so well informed on trade matters generally, that we publish his interesting letters with the fullest confidence: still, he is not infallible, and we may reasonably assume that Messrs B. & C. know their own business best. Mr Thornton, their recently-appointed foreman, also writes, to complain that an expression in the same paragraph might be so construed as to convey the impression that he « is not a very competent man. » Such is certainly not expressed, but the inference might be drawn. Our correspondent's contributions are written—as all news-letters should be—currente calamo, and occasional ambiguity is the result. Mr Thornton says: « I was only sixteen years old when I left the Press. I turned myself over to an office in Otago, where I was taught jobbing case-work under a first-class man. I have also worked in other jobbing offices, and can produce the highest references as to my efficiency. » We readily insert this explanation, as requested, though, to most of our readers, it is scarcely necessary.