104 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



tator preserved a disdainful silence towards its humble rival, 

 whose existence it deigned not to notice, it was preparing 

 a most effectual means of extinguishing it. This was by 

 purchasing the whole of the Independent' s plant over the 

 heads of the unsuspecting printers, who rented it and en- 

 joyed a feeling of security in its unmarketable nature. But 

 suddenly and secretly purchased it was, and on the 9th 

 August, four months after starting their venture, the unlucky 

 printers found themselves again adrift. They told the story 

 to their subscribers in piteous terms whilst taking leave of 

 them in the final issue. But their friends rallied round again 

 and stoutly supported them. Fresh material was procured 

 from Sydney, and in less than four months they jubilantly 

 started anew. From this time onwards the two papers ran 

 side by side as steady rivals for more than twenty years, until 

 by the curious irony of fate the formerly poor persecuted 

 Independent swallowed up or incorporated its more aristocratic 

 opponent, which published its last number — the 2,088th — on 

 the 5th August, 1865. Thus left the master of the situation, 

 for a time at least, the Independent flourished nine years 

 longer, issuing tri-weekly a six-page paper of large size at 

 3d. per copy, and then, on the 30th April, 1874, it in turn was 

 incorporated with the New Zealand Times, which put forth 

 its first number on the following day and has continued to 

 the present time. 



The pages of the two papers formed the arena of many a 

 hard-fought battle in days when fighting was incessant and 

 apparently an enjoyment, and when champions were doughty. 

 In its earliest days the Independent boldly opposed the New 

 Zealand Company and its land-purchasers ; later it was a 

 bitter opponent of Governor Grey and his methods, as well as 

 an ardent supporter of Dr. Featherston and Mr. Fox, who 

 were principal contributors to its columns. 



An example of one of the many difficulties papers suffered 

 under in those days — shortness of paper — is here exhibited. 

 For many weeks the Spectator was obliged to appear on red 

 blotting-paper, and uncommonly well that porous material 

 appears to have taken the type. Sometimes they were com- 

 pelled to print on paper of variable size, material, and colour, 

 and specimens are extant printed in green and blue, such as 

 might be used nowadays for handbills. In an early number 

 of the Nelson Examiner the printer makes an earnest appeal 

 to its readers for treacle. He says, " We beg to inform our 

 readers that there is great probability of our press being ren- 

 dered utterly useless for want of rollers. These are used for 

 inking the formes, and an essential ingredient is treacle, and 

 treacle we have been unable to procure for money. If any of 

 our readers have any of this important article, and will spare 



