Trade is quiet, and some of the compositors are still on half-time.

Early in August the Pioneer Bicycle Club published a journal called the New Zealand Wheelman's Gazette, with the object of advertising prominently among wheelmen the proposed intercolonial race meeting. The first number met with so much support that the P.B.C. have now entered into a contract for the publication of the Gazette monthly for six months.

The War Cry is shortly to be enlarged to eight pages demy folio. I hear that no extra men will be employed, as the work is to be done by boys.

Messrs Russell & Willis are going to issue a new weekly publication to be called the Bazaar. It will be twelve pages demy folio, and is to be published at 2d per copy. The Bazaar is to be a home and family newspaper, of a distinctly literary character. I wish the enterprising firm every success.

A deputation from the Master Printers' Association waited on the North Canterbury Board of Education at its ordinary meeting on September 12 to urge the advisableness of having all school books and stationery printed in the colony. It was argued by the deputation that if the request were complied with, more work would be given to printers and bookbinders in the colony, and that it would also tend to the establishment of a national literature. It was also stated that the offices were fully equipped for the work, which could be turned out equal to the books obtained from home. After considerable discussion the following resolution was passed by the Board:— « That so far as may be consistent with the proper education of the children in North Canterbury, this Board will afford the utmost possible assistance in support of the objects set forth by the deputation. » This matter has excited some public attention, and I think the general opinion is that the Master Printers' Association has taken a step in the right direction. They should not stop here, but should see that the Boards in other large towns are interviewed and the question gone into thoroughly.

Owing to Mr Loughnan's retirement from the editorial chair of the Lyttelton Times, there is to be a re-arrangement of the literary staff. I understand that Mr W. P. Reeves will edit the Times, Mr J. Plunket the Star, and Mr W. V. Hamilton the Canterbury Times.

Mr Geo. Tombs, of the firm of Messrs Whitcombe & Tombs, was tendered a complimentary dinner by the employés of the firm on Friday evening last, on the occasion of his retiring from the active management of the two departments hitherto superintended by him. The toast of « Our Guests » was proposed by Mr J. P. Cooper in an excellent speech, in the course of which he referred to the loss the firm and its employés were about to sustain through the retirement of Mr Tombs after an experience in printing and newspaper work in Canterbury which commenced so far back in the early days of the settlement as June 1, 1856. At the close of his speech Mr Cooper on behalf of the firm's employés presented Mr Tombs with a handsomely illuminated and framed address, expressing their high appreciation of his sterling character, and a hope for his welfare in the future. Mr Tombs, in returning thanks, gave a humorous account of how, in the early days of newspapers in the Province, the publications did not bear the trim appearance they do now, but were a medley of mixed brevier and nonpareil, « leaded » out with strips of bonnet-boxes, pieces of wood, or any material obtainable. Messrs Wilkin (manager of the Times) and Geo. Hart (Press) also spoke of the trials and troubles of printers and newspaper men in Canterbury's early days. Mr Hart, who now holds a high position on the literary staff of the Press, was a fellow apprentice of Mr Tombs. An enjoyable evening was spent, all the principal printing offices in town being represented. Mr E. Hicks is Mr Tombs' successor.

At a special meeting of the Canterbury Typographical Association, held during the month, a resolution expressing sympathy with the London dock laborers on strike, and admiration of the manner in which they were conducting the struggle, was unanimously adopted.

On the 26th August Mr W. Chapman read his paper on « Slang » before the Literary Society of the Y.M.C.A. There were between fifty and sixty members present, and the paper was favorably criticised.