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Typo: A Monthly Newspaper and Literary Review, Volume 3

From Australia

From Australia.

Melbourne, 12 August, 1889.

Since my last letter trade has undergone very little change being, if anything, in a more satisfactory condition. The unemployed have drifted to other parts, or secured work to such an extent that their cry has almost ceased to be heard. In the jobbing offices trade has not improved much, but better times are now expected. The reports from the other colonies announce business in a fair state, but in all cases there are sufficient hands to meet the demand. During the last few weeks a number of additional frames have been fitted up in the Government Printing Office, where a large work is being turned out. The annual roll hands will of course be taken on, and there is a likelihood of seven or eight months' work on the statutes.

At the ordinary monthly meeting of the Board of Management of the Melbourne Typographical Society on the 15th June, Mr S. Moore gave notice of motion for the half-yearly meeting, to the effect that in future all levies be based pro rata upon a man's earnings, as follows: 1/- a week for men in full time; half-time, 6d; piece hands earning £3 or over, 1/-;. £1 10/-, 6d; under, exempt. With such levies the Society should soon recoup its funds; but the matter has of course to come before the half-yearly meeting.

An election was held at the end of last month for a secretary to the Society in the stead of Mr Stevens, who has accepted the position of editor of the new Trades and Labor Journal. Mr Stevens has been an excellent servant during his term, and regret was expressed at his resignation. There were four candidates in the field, from which Mr John Hancock was elected on the first poll. Mr Hancock has been a prominent man in the trade since his arrival here, and should fill well the post of secretary.

The Trades and Labor Journal made its appearance on the 13th July, with eight pages of reading-matter, and a colored wrapper. The journal is carefully edited, neatly designed, and well-turned-out from the machine; and should command a good share of support from the working community alone.

A compositor named Jermy, lately of New Zealand, employed in the Evening Standard office, fell a victim to typhoid fever on Friday last, and the funeral on Sunday was well attended. Jermy was an industrious comp and well spoken of by those who knew him.

The Bush Advocate publishes a brief but very interesting history of the Dunedin Star, the successful evening paper of that city, which has a circulation of nearly ten thousand. We have put the « note » on our file for future use.