Typo: A Monthly Newspaper and Literary Review, Volume 7
Monthly Record
Monthly Record.
Never in any previous session of Parliament has there been so much carping at press and reporters as in the present. For this the redoubtable couple, Fish and Fisher, are chiefly responsible. On the 5th inst. the first of these had the impudence to ask the premier « Whether he would take steps to exclude the reporters of the New Zealand Times from the press gallery of this House, on the ground of grossly unfair and biassed reporting of the debates of this House. » The grievance was that Mr Fish's own verbosity had not appeared in print to such an extent as to satisfy him—the special instance adduced being one where he had chosen to interfere in a « passage-at-arms » between Sir Robert Stout and Mr Fisher.—Mr Seddon replied that the newspaper had been sufficiently advertised without giving it the further advertisement that the honorable gentleman wished.
The Wairarapa Daily Times has been purchased from Mr D. Wright by Mr Nosworthy.
A Napier paper, reporting a Maori gathering, says « there were about seventy native gentlemen present, including a few Europeans. »
The Wellington branch of the Typographical Society has decided to take a ballot of the trade with regard to procuring a handsome emblematic banner.
The omission of a comma in the Wellington morning paper gives the following curious result: « Miss Harraden too often makes her heroine talk particularly sound sense. »
Mr J. P. Plunket, an old and experienced journalist, has resigned the sub-editorship of the Wellington Times, and removed to Christchurch. On the 13th inst. he was presented by the staff of the Times with a parting gift.
According to the Wairarapa Daily Times, three printers' devils employed their Saturday afternoon in fishing in the Waingawa river, and landed seventy eels in two hours. This is the biggest bag of the season, leaving the experienced anglers all behind.
The Otaki Mail has again changed hands, Mr Jacobsen having sold it to Messrs Franklin, Costello, & Go. It is to be run on opposition lines, and may meet with better success than heretofore. Mr Mason is the editor.
« Equality of all classes before the law, » says the Wellington morning paper, is « a thing which exists already, but may be improved. » Which means, we presume, that Jack, being as good as his master in New Zealand, may reasonably expect to be legally constituted his master's superior.
Sometimes (writes the Manawatu Times), a newspaper wish is absolutely and unquestionably sincere. The Manawatu Standard, for example, wishes Mr Pirani, in its editorial columns, a big victory at the coming election. Now, Mr Pirani is the proprietor and possibly the editor of the journal.
The New Zealand Methodist is more smartly written than of old. For the organ of a religions body this is not always a recommendation. The ferreting out and exposure of medical quacks is useful work in its way, but should be left to the secular press. In the absence of the necessary special knowledge, an amateur detective is always in danger of injuring honest people, besides running the risk of actions for libel. The new editor is inclined to be lofty with his correspondents. He severely snubbed one this month who had drawn attention to an editorial slip which a better knowledge of chemistry would have prevented.
At the time of the social upheaval, two years ago, the Dunedin Tablet started a « labor » column, and stood forth as a champion of the federated unions in Queensland and New Zealand who sought, by paralysing trade, to enforce their demands. Soon after the collapse of the strike, the labor column was dropped. Now Bishop Moran, the proprietor and principal editor of the Tablet, writes to that paper, « I am convinced that the labor party in this colony is its own greatest enemy. The labor parry in this colony has not been led by its best and wisest members. Its policy has killed enterprise here, and is mainly responsible for the present dearth of employment. » It is a pity that the good bishop did not write in this strain when his warning might have been of use. Two years ago, the papers who took this line were denounced by the Tablet. Our Dunedin contemporary and its editor have incurred a full share of responsibility for encouraging the selfish and insane movement which everyone now knows is « mainly responsible for the present dearth of employment. »
Mr E. G. Allsworth, of the Stratford Settler, stands for the Egmont district, as the Government candidate.
Mr J. A. Wilkinson, formerly of Wanganui, has been appointed to the editorship of the Tuapeka Times.
Mr Joseph Evison ( « Ivo » ) of Christchurch Truth, and late of the Catholic Times, is a candidate for the Christchurch seat.
There is a paper at the Thames called the Star. It is rarely quoted, and for a sufficient reason. In a whole issue, lately, there was not one original paragraph.
At Napier this month Mr G. A. Pope, of the Wellington Times staff, was married to Miss Annie Mitchell, daughter of Mr W. Mitchell, late of Wellington.
The Hauraki Tribune of 17th inst. reports: The Aroha News has again changed hands. Mr J. S. Ingram retires from the management, and Mr Spooner, late of the Helping Hand, takes over the paper for Mr Shepherd Allan.
The following bit of mixed writing is from the Kumara Times:—« We have always judged the premier by the breadth of his political grasp, and admire him for the ballast which has prevented his ship being capsized by squalls of Liberal faddism which would sink the finest country in the world were they allowed full rein. »
There have been changes in the literary department of the Wellington Times lately. Mynheer Rip van Winkle has been placed on the editorial staff. His hand is clearly traceable in these lines: « Lugubrious thirst with a perpetual long face and sickly complexion—that has been the popular idea hitherto of temperance reform. Tea-leaves and snowballs are regarded as the only temperance diet. »
Mr J. Ivess, having been an uncompromising supporter of the ministry, is disgusted at the premier shunting him in favor of Mr Stevens. In his paper he says: « Mr Ivess is determined, even at the risk of his party losing the Rangitikei seat, to have fair play dealt out to him during the struggle, and if he receives that which is due to every aspirant for parliamentary honors—a fair field and no favor—he may have no misgivings as to the final result. »
Mr William Nation cannot rest without a newspaper to look after. It is not many months since he disposed of the Wairarapa Standard, and now we have to acknowledge the first numbers of the Manawatu Farmer and Horowhenua Chronicle, published at Shannon, and bearing the imprint of W. C. and C. C Nation (Nation & Son.) The proprietors are experienced journalists and good printers, and the new paper, printed from new type, will no doubt be welcomed in many country homes.
On the 13th inst. an illuminated address was presented in the Choral Hall, Dunedin, to Mr J. W. Jago, on the occasion of his completing the twenty-first year of his management of the Evening Star. The address spoke highly of the relations which had existed without interruption between Mr Jago and the employees of the office, and of the manner generally in which he had discharged his duties. Mr Jago made a suitable reply, dwelling on the good effects to be expected from mutual confidence between employer and employed.
At last the intolerable burden of « Hansard » has forced itself upon the notice of the House, and the Reporting and Debates Committee has laid a special report on the table. The recommendations embody a substantial measure of reform, but it is almost too much to hope that they will be accepted. The vanity of the more garrulous members can ill brook such a check as recommendations 1, 3, 4, and 5 would impose. « The committee have the honor to report that the circulation of 'Hansard,' and its usefulness as a means of educating the electors of the colony on political matters, is marred by the excessive quantity of irrelevant matter which it contains, and the stale-ness of its contents. With the object of making 'Hansard' more readable, and insuring its publication on the day following the debates, your committee beg to submit for the consideration of the House the following recommendations: (1) That the space allowed to each member, excepting the premier, a minister introducing business of his department, and the leader of the opposition, and one member of the opposition to be appointed by him, be limited to a space equal to fifteen columns of present 'Hansard' per month [2300 words.] (2) That the matter for publication in each 'Hansard' be limited each day to debates taking place between the hours of midnight and midnight on the previous day. (3) That the system of corrections by members be discontinued. (4) That unless specially requested by the member being reported, the ' Hansard' reporters be authorized to condense speeches where this can be done without injury to the main arguments. (5) That speeches made upon motions of adjournment of the House, and all irregular discussions, unless under special instructions from the House, shall be briefly summarised. (6) That there shall be a daily issue of 'Hansard' in such form as may prove most suitable, which may be supplied to newspapers, free of postage, at the cost of paper and printing. »
page 79This is from the Christchurch Truth: Modern Society indignantly denies that the Queen has been sea-bathing in Osborne Bay. « Her Majesty, » says Jeames, « has not bathed for years. » Oh!
The Wairarapa Daily Times had this month to defend a libel action in which Mr Pownall, mayor of Masterton, claimed £100 damages. The jury found for defendant on the principal issues, but awarded one shilling damages to the plaintiff. The judge declined to certify for costs. The case is referred to more fully in another column.
The hon. Mr Rigg (says the Wellington correspondent of the Otago Daily Times) has resigned his connexion with the Trades and Labor Council because Mr James Mackay declared that Mr Rigg and a certain other member were as marionettes in the hands of the Minister for Labor. An unpalatable truth.
At a meeting held by the premier at Ohingaiti, he strongly urged that Mr Ivess should withdraw in favor of the other government candidate. Mr Ivess declined, and caused some sensation by publicly stating that he had already been offered a bribe of £250 to retire. His statement was explicit and circumstantial, two names being given in connexion with the alleged offer. The persons concerned absolutely deny the charge, and one of them threatens proceedings for libel.
As was half expected, notwithstanding the most emphatic denials by the Government that such would be done, the twelve new legislative councillors have been paid full salary for the nine months before their duties began. It was undeniably an illegal payment, but to « dodge » the auditor and the Disqualification Act, an empowering clause was smuggled into the Appropriation Act at the last moment by the casting vote of the chairman. The total donation amounts to £850.
Mr Tom Roydhouse (brother of Mr W. F. Boydhouse, of the Wairarapa Standard) has been appointed editor of the Sydney Sunday Times.
A warrant has been issued in Melbourne for the arrest of a man on a charge of attempted murder. A number of funeral cards already printed were discovered in his house.
A label press exhibited at the World's Fair prints labels in two colors from a roll, makes the labels and eyelets, and puts the strings on—at the rate of 8000 an hour.
The libel actions brought by the members of the New South Wales ministry against the Telegraph have been settled out of court, on the defendant's assurance that the article was not intended to reflect on the honor and integrity of ministers individually or collectively.
The Moslem World is a late addition to the American newspaper press. The proprietor and publisher is Mohammed Russell Webb, who adopted the faith of Islam about a year ago, and who has taken this method of instituting a Moslem propaganda in the United States.
The English Illustrated Magazine, having been in the hands of Messrs Edward Arnold & Co. for only a few months, has been sold to Sir William Ingram and his partners in the Sketch. The magazine will now be under the joint editorship of Sir William Ingram, Bart., and Mr Clement Shorter, editor of the Illustrated London News and of the Sketch.
The Spokane Silver Outburst bursts forth in the following outspoken fashion: « To Contributors in General—Write on one side of the paper only; we use the other side. Be natural in writing. Don't try to soar; the bat is the only mammal that flies. Write in English, or send glossary. To Poets—Poetry on all subjects accepted. Send lock of hair as guarantee of divine afflatus. Give children of your brain proper transportation. We do not furnish Pegasuses. »
Owing to the liquidation of the firm of Dalziel Brothers, Fun has changed hands. It is now the property of Mr H. J. Brandon, and is edited by Mr H. T. Johnson. It is the oldest living rival of Punch, having been started in 1861. On its roll of past and present contributors are the names of W. J. Prowse, Tom Hood, Sampson, C. Dalziel, W. S. Gilbert, E. L. Blanchard, H. J. Byron, T. W. Robertson, F. C. Burnand, G. B. Sims, Richard Butler, H. C. Newton, G. A. Sala, 'Dicky' Doyle, Matt Morgan, F. Barnard, Paul Gray, J. K. Jerome, and Ernest Griset.
The great fire at St. Mary Axe, London, on 18th July, was particularly damaging to stationers, printers, and others in allied industries. The original call was to the premises occupied by W. Brown & Co, wholesale stationers, and the fire afterwards involved the premises of J. Marians & Co., Japanese merchants, H. Dunk & Co., Japanese merchants; S. J. Saunders & Co., wholesale stationers; opposite, M. Singer & Co., printers; F. H. Doulton, wholesale stationer; M. Pearce, wholesale stationer; Marriott & Priest, Japanese merchants; T. H. Bethell, Japanese merchant; C. Straker & Sons, printers; and the Phœnix Printing Ink Company.
« Another woman, » says the San Francisco Newspaper Man, « has been hounded to death by the newspapers; but we hear not a word said of calling to account the perpetrator of this cowardly and brutal crime. On the night of 17th July there died in the Home of the Inebriates in this city a young lady who was made insane by the publication of a love affair to which she was a party. It was in no sense the property of the public, but still the sensational journalist ferreted it out, and wrote it up in his most lurid style. The woman's heart was broken, her brain deranged, and she finally died in a strait jacket. »
An interesting libel case is reported from Vienna. The defendants were a renegade Jew professor of languages named Meyer, a priest named Deckert, and a journalist named Doll, editor of the clerical paper Vaterland. The libel was written by Meyer to Deckert, and by him handed to Doll, who published it. The letter not only gave a circumstantial account of the alleged murder of a Christian boy for ritual purposes eighteen years ago; but named the Rabbi of Ostrovo in Russian Poland as the criminal; also two synagogue attendants who were said to have actually committed the deed, and a landed proprietor, who was alleged to have kidnapped the child. A number of well-to-do Jews subscribed the amount necessary to enable the persons concerned to institute the prosecution. All the accused were found guilty; Meyer was sent to prison for four months, and Deckert and Doll were fined 400 and 200 florins respectively. From which it may be inferred that libel is a cheap pastime in Austria—if the parties aggrieved are Hebrews.
Of the many swindles which Mr Labouchere has been instrumental in exposing, the worst appears to be that known as the Zierenberg case. Eighteen years ago Mr and Mrs Zierenberg came over from Germany and started a laundry business in conjunction with a home for female inebriates, supported by voluntary contributions. They succeeded in hoodwinking philanthropists like the late Lord Shaftesbury, and have altogether received from the public £28,000 in support of the scheme. In cases where inmates have escaped, they have been re-consigned to the « home » by the police. Mr Labouchere denounced the establishment as a commercial speculation run by the Zierenbergs for their private gain, on the profitable basis of compulsory female labor at the cost of board and lodging. The parties concerned, after some delay, sued Mr Labouchere for libel, claiming £10,000 damages. The case came before Mr Justice Hawkins and a special jury. At latest advices it was not concluded; but the plaintiffs, under cross-examination, have made admissions fully establishing the truth of Mr Labouchere's charges, and much more. Mr and Mrs Z., who always figured as munificent donors to the funds, were compelled to acknowledge that the amount of their gifts, and sometimes more, had been previously « borrowed » by them from the treasury. They were almost penniless on their arrival from Germany, and could show no source of income but the « home. » The balance-sheets were grossly juggled, and the annual reports were models of sanctimonious unction. Not content with plundering the charitable public, the pious Zierenberg had twice compounded with his private creditors. Of course there can be but one issue to this notable action.