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Typo: A Monthly Newspaper and Literary Review, Volume 4

Melbourne, 5 May, 1890

Melbourne, 5 May, 1890.

Once more I have to begin with the now well-worn item—Trade is dull. The unemployed-roll is at present well filled, and there is no prospect of improvement during the winter months. Parliament being announced to assemble this month has led to some twenty men being taken on at the Government office, but these of course are men that have been discharged during the slack season. The job offices generally are quiet, and I am afraid that Parliament will make little difference to the morning papers, all of which have ample hands. When matters are brisk, a number of additional grass-hands are generally taken on, and to prevent discharging them, they are kept on with an average of from four to five nights a week. Again I must say that comps, unless they have something better than a mere chance of work, will do well to steer wide of Melbourne—and indeed from the neighboring colonies the reports are anything but encouraging for prospectors.

The Eight-Hours demonstration on the 21st ult. was the most successful of any yet held so far as the Typographical Society was concerned. The draw for position resulted in the Society getting first place, and the muster did credit to the position, nearly 350 of the Craft, each member decked with a neat little badge, being in file. The morning offices were cheered as the procession passed. Close behind the splendid banner were machines, mounted on lorries, from which bills were struck off and distributed along the line of march. The executive council of the society have every reason to be satisfied with the result of their endeavors to make a good show.

The proprietors of the Argus have at last removed their dilapidated premises, and in a very short time a handsome edifice will take the place of the tumble-down old office so long disgracing Collins-street. As the company's stereo department and machine-rooms are distinct from the new edifice, they will not be interfered with. The electric light, after a thorough trial, has been extended over the whole office, and is daily expected to completely displace the gas. It is rumored also that a new fount of type will soon arrive from London.

Mr H. Burreil, printer of the Argus, arrived by the Victoria last week, after a lengthened trip to the Old Country,

The Evening Standard (for which many croakers prophesied a very short existence) celebrated its first anniversary on Thursday last, the comps on that day having the composing-room gaily decorated with flowers and bunting. As the journal grows older, it will no doubt gain a firmer footing, for it is a creditable publication.

The executive council of the Society last week donated £50 to a brickmakers' strike, and £25 towards the relief of the unfortunate sufferers by the Bourke floods. The brickmakers' case is one in which boy-labor is threatening to become a serious matter, but it is anticipated that the difficulty will be averted without serious loss.

No new publications of any importance have appeared, and the projected Daily Mail has made no further advance.

Influenza has had a good innings amongst compositors, and in the Government office especially it was very rife: but being of a mild form it did not last long, and most of those who suffered are again at their posts.