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Typo: A Monthly Newspaper and Literary Review, Volume 5

Gisborne, 20 June, 1891

Gisborne, 20 June, 1891.

Notwithstanding a contradiction telegraphed from Gisborne, Typo was perfectly correct in the statement that the irregularities of the late Harbor Board secretary and Town Clerk had begun prior to the alleged libel. [We made sure of the facts before writing the paragraph.—Ed.] The civil action in which Baldwin was concerned was not, however, one for libel. He instituted an action against the Harbor Board for diverting loan money to ordinary purposes. Parliament subsequently ordered that these sums should be refunded to loan account from the ordinary account in instalments, thus justifying Baldwin's action. Unfortunately the money was spent when times were flush; and when the loan expenditure was stopped the other instalments had to be met, and are not yet done with.

I notice that the Napier News has taken up your suggestion about rendering some assistance to Mrs Baldwin, and has opened a list. I do not know whether its example has been followed elsewhere. On this subject, the Auckland Observer states that besides being herself in delicate health and unfitted for hard work, Mrs Baldwin has one of her children suffering from hip-disease. It adds, « Though not a strong woman, she was an example of energy combined with patience, Night after night she used to sit up and assist in the setting of type, an art in which she attained some measure of proficiency. After her husband's death she herself completed some binding work, so that the orders might be fulfilled; and in many other ways she gave proof that no matter how she might be handicapped in life, with young children dependent on her, she was yet possessed of courage to overcome obstacles that would have doomed many women to a premature grave. »

Recent events having brought the late Independent once again into memory, the following item from the Standard of 12th inst., is of interest: « The printing plant with which the late John Baldwin used to work the Independent in its latter stages, was shipped to Auckland on Sunday, a purchaser having been found for it. The paper became a wreck when the libel actions were on, and the plant was put into the auction mart and bought in for Mr Joyce. There was some litigation about a bill of sale on the plant, and Mr Joyce was successful in getting damages from the creditor who had forced the sale. The plant has not since been used for newspaper work. »

The trade is on a better footing here than in many towns. At one time there were three papers here, and all the offices undercutting. Now, whatever warfare is waged in the literary columns, the two offices take common ground against the outside foe, refusing to tender for the work of the local bodies and other customers. The result is that there is a fair distribution of work. At one time Council advertisements came down as low as 4d and 3d an inch. Now nothing is accepted under the fair tariff of 3s, and half-price for subsequent insertions. A few days ago, the Rugby Union having acted rather shabbily to one of the papers, in the matter of a small advertisement, the editor published a full report of the match; but added a note to the effect that nothing more would appear in reference to local football until the Union changed its attitude. It held out for a week, but had by that time to yield to the pressure of the general body of players, and friendly relations were restored.