The opening of Parliament has, during the past month, written the word Rush in large caps as being the state of the Government Printing Office. There is now the largest staff yet employed by Mr Didsbury engaged in getting out the parliamentary printing. Not that a smaller House has resulted in more talk; but chiefly owing to the large Commission reports. In the other offices business has not been so greatly affected, and continues in a fair state. There is the usual talk in the lobby of the House of cutting down « Hansard » expenses. The most practical suggestion so far is now under favorable consideration by the Debates Printing Committee. It is to abolish the practice of supplying printed proof-slips to members, sending them instead the reporters' type-written copy for revision. This will relieve the Government Printing Office of a vast amount of costly and useless work, and will be a great saving to the colony.

A meeting of the members of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Typographical Association was held on 30th May to take into consideration a report embodying a proposed reconstruction of the New Zealand Typographical Association. There was a fair attendance of members, the president (Mr W. P. McGirr) occupying the chair. The report was framed by the Board of Management of the Wellington branch, who appear to have dealt exhaustively with the matter, and who make recommendations in the direction of a radical alteration in the management of their organization. After discussion, it was decided to adjourn further consideration of the report for a month.

Mr W. P. M'girr, the president of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Typographical Society, having entered into the matrimonial state, the members showed the esteem in which they held him by presenting him with a handsome marble clock, and an address beautifully illuminated by Mr W. R. Bock. The text of the address was read as follows by Mr H. C. Jones, vice-president:

To W. P. M'girr, Esq., President, Wellington Branch, N.Z.T.A. Dear Sir—We, members of the Wellington Branch, N.Z.T.A., take advantage of the occasion of your marriage to express our hearty appreciation of the energetic and careful manner in which you have carried out your duties as President of our Branch for the last three years, and also to thank you for the valuable work you have performed during that time in that honorable capacity. We beg you to accept the accompanying present, with the assurance of our best wishes for your future happiness, and we trust that you may be long spared to continue your efforts in the furtherance of the well-being of your fellow-workers. On behalf of the subscribers. H. C. Jones, Vice-President.

Mr M'girr thanked his fellow-members for their evidence of good-will, and assured them that it would always remind him that having done his duty to the craft in the past there was a similar duty to be carried out in the future. If he had done good work as president, he ascribed it to the fact that members had always yielded readily to his decisions, and assisted him in every way.

At the quarterly meeting of the Hawke's Bay Herald Chapel, held on the 2nd inst., Mr G. H. Freeman was re-elected Father and Mr J. Carruth appointed Deputy Father.

The article in last months' Typo entitled « Impressions of a Tramp » was read with interest by the members of the Herald Chapel, with whom the reputed author of the letter worked during his short sojourn in Napier. This is the individual about whom inquiries have been made on behalf of his sorrowing landlady, whom he left rather suddenly, forgetting to pay for his two weeks' board and residence. When this cosmopolitan presented himself at the Herald he stated that he was « broke » and « panhandled for a lift, » with the result that he received an acceptable sum, and to show his gratitude he left the companionship rather surreptitiously, after having been engaged to grass for a frameholder.

Jobbing work has been pretty brisk during the last few weeks, which is an unusual occurence at this time of the year.

The Telegraph is the successful tenderer for the Taradale Town Board's advertising, at 3d per inch.

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.

Death has been making himself felt again in the Lyttelton Times office, another of the old identities—Mr W. Wheeler—having passed away, heart disease being the cause of his death. Mr Currie will probably obtain the appointment of morning printer. Since the death of the hon. W. Reeves, the following appointments have been decided upon in the office: Mr J. C. Wilkin, confirmed as general manager, and Mr Saunders (formerly sporting editor) to the revising editorial chair. No other alteration of any moment.

Printing business generally is bad as bad can be: it is asserted that there are not three offices in town fully employed. The Master Printers' Association is still alive, and owing to the energy displayed by some of its officers will be kept alive; but they have their work before them, as several of the members, it is alleged, do not stick to their vows. If it should again come to a competition as to which should be the cheapest, depend upon it the conflict will be a severe one. The only direct visible result from the federation conference is the preparing of a tariff of charges, which will be adopted by Dunedin and Christchurch. I hope next time to be able to write more cheerful news.

The local branch of the N.Z.T.A., at a meeting held in March last, passed a rule that in jobbing-offices no such thing is to be recognized as a casual hand. All such are in future to be treated and paid the same as permanent hands. The Society defined casuals two years ago; but the distinction is now to cease.