Trade is fairly brisk here at the present time, although one or two men have left for the Empire City to be in time for the opening of Parliament.

The Master Printers' Association still continues « the even tenor of its way, » and the different offices that belong to it are, I believe, sticking together pretty well, although I hear a whisper now and again to the effect that there are slight violations of the tariff; but if the masters will only study their own interests and the interests of their employés they will keep together in united brotherhood, and charge a fair price for their work. Surely by this time they have had enough experience of the cut throat system to know that it is rotten, and that to wear out their machinery and plant for little more than an existence is not very enterprising. I would like to see a federation of master printers throughout the colony, and a scale of prices drawn up on a fair basis that would remunerate them and give them a fair profit on every job turned out. I was told the other day that the Masters' Association had been trying to induce the South Canterbury printing firms to join them, but I have not heard with what success.

The company I mentioned in my last letter as being in the course of formation for the not very praiseworthy object of « wiping out » the masters' combination, will not, I think, become a shining light in the land. I have not heard that anything further has been done to establish the company beyond issuing the prospectus. Perhaps it is their intention to « do or die! »

The Evening Telegraph of the 10th inst. contained a local to the effect that Mr C. C. Sommers, bookseller, of this city, had instructed his solicitors to commence an action for libel against the Lyttelton Times Company for publishing a report stating that Mr Sommers had urged Waller of Timaru to commit arson. The statement was made by Waller when giving evidence before the Assignee in bankruptcy at Timaru. The damages claimed will be £2000. Up to date of writing nothing more has been published re the case, and I am not in a position to say that a writ has been served.

A weekly paper has been established at Oxford, Mr Parish being the proprietor, but as I have not seen a copy of it I cannot comment on its appearance.

The Canterbury Typographical Association, I understand, hold their next social on the last Saturday in this month. It takes the form of a tea and entertainment for the children of printers, in the afternoon, to wind up with a concert and dance for the adults at night. This Society is to be congratulated on introducing these socials as a means of cementing the fellowship between its members.

On the 14th inst. Mr Loughnan, editor of the Lyttelton Times, delivered his lecture on « The Press » at Lyttelton in aid of the Lawn Tennis Club. It was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience, and at its close the lecturer was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.