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Typo: A Monthly Newspaper and Literary Review, Volume 4

Our Correspondents

page 114

Our Correspondents.

Christchurch, 23 October, 1890.

Trade is fairly good, and the jobbing-offices have plenty of work to keep all hands going.

A few weeks ago the members of the staff of the Lyttelton Times Company assembled around the stone in the composing-room to say farewell to Mr E. V. Hamilton, late editor of the Canterbury Times, but who has had to relinquish his duties on account of illness. After the Hon. W. Reeves had spoken in high praise of Mr Hamilton as a journalist, he presented him, on behalf of the entire companionship, with a set of fine pictures—landscapes—and beautifully bound album, a highly creditable specimen of the work which can be produced in the Lyttelton Times bindery. Within was an address, tastefully illuminated, and in these words: « To Vesey Hamilton, Esq.—Dear Sir,—We have learned with deep regret that you have found it necessary, owing to illness, to resign your position as editor of the Canterbury Times. You have had no keener critics than those who have been more or less associated with you in the Lyttelton Times Company's various departments. We have appreciated your facile descriptive powers, and your graceful diction, and we trust to have many further opportunities, when strength has returned to you, of enjoying your contributions. That the renewal of health my come speedily is our earnest hope. Will you please accept, not as a measure, but as a token of our esteem, the accompanying pictures. » On the next page to the address was a photo-lithographic copy of the first page of the Lyttelton Times, with the signatures of the Hon. W. Reeves, and Mr J. C. Wilkin. On the succeeding pages were the signatures of the various members of the staff. Mr Hamilton, in reply, spoke at length, giving an interesting account of the ups and downs, the changes and chances, and the lights and shadows of a journalist's life, and in conclusion said: « And yet it is a profession that you cannot choose but love and cling to. It makes a man alert, vigorous of thought and action, receptive, supple-minded. It teaches him to know human nature, to gauge the strength and weakness of that great, wonderful mystery, the mind of man. It throws him in contact to-day with the noblest of mankind, and to-morrow among some of the lowest scoundrels that cumber earth. But it is before all a profession in which prejudice leaks out of a man and tolerance flows in; a profession in which there are fewer jealous rivals and more honest unbiassed critics of your worth than in any other of which I know anything. »

Mr H. D. Pine, who has taken charge of the Press jobbing department, was, on leaving the Union office, recipient of a farewell address from the employés. Mr James Caygill succeeds Mr Pine as manager at the Union, a position he will no doubt fill with credit to himself and to his employers.

The businesses of Anthony Sellars & Co. (late lessees of the Press jobbing department), and J. T. Smith & Co., have been amalgamated under the style of Smith, Anthony, Sellars, & Co., Limited. The new firm was opened in premises in Cashel Street, and, I believe, are doing a good business.

Mr J. G. Anderson, of the Lyttelton Times office, has accepted the position of reader on the Otago Daily Times, Dunedin. As he was Vice-President of the Canterbury Typographical Association, his removal caused a vacancy on the executive of that body, and Mr W. F. Board, of the Press office, has been appointed to the position.