THE "MODEL" NEWSPAPER AND THE MAN AT THE WHEEL.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XI, Issue 573, 2 November 1880, Page 5

THE "MODEL" NEWSPAPER AND THE MAN AT THE WHEEL.

It must be a matter of surprise and conjecture to the readers of our contemporary, the Dunstan Times, to observe the spasmodic changes it exhibits occasionally—yetspasmodic is hardly the correct expression, because they recur with something like regularity—intermittent would be more appropriate ; we allude to the periodical changes from the vapid and inane articles that, for a certain part of the year, distinguish that journal, and the startling change that comes over the spirit .of the editor's dream at regular intervals. ■ These intervals appear to us, after. ol6se observation, to be coineident with

the ruingi*fr.l»arliatadht.- { I& session—the period that usually puts-ail other journalistic staffs;«u the -by thoittditor Lmdfe m in a atate of the ut ' mo »t quiescence"; but, at its close, at.the very .time,when its contemporarie?s , are:'reiygal;'eb! to the n ßecord of -big' gooseberries 'and''' pilVes wi th iw'o heads, and other supplied by their paragraphists, our Phoenix,'the jp. T., rises from its ashes of dead ri>sws and soars and screams'like'an eagle. 1 ' ! '.' I ' l ''• The Dunstan Tinges f Why balled A journal, with.auch a.tiitje should record current events ; .the events of ;to-dayr-not those of the day before yesterday fortnight. The worthy editor—and.^we write,'of hiiu in no ironical mood—is too. conscientious fpr the present advanced age. It's absurd to be so scrupulous i" but we are bound to confess that the journal in question has some merits. \t is a, Satisfaction' to know when we take up the Dunstan Times that every line.of domestic and foreign intelligence is thoroughly reliable; that it has stood the test of criticism ; has run the course of all other papers in the colony, and that then, and'not till then, is it allowed to find a place in its columns. We may rely on the very latest news we can find there, because we know that it has only been inserted after days of misgivings as to its truth. As there are two sides to every question, so are there generally drawbacks to otherwise perfect schemes, and so. in thjs case. A paper like the Dunstan quires to be read with great care;,, even by its own supporters, or they must eonfine their reading to its sheets only, otherwise they are likely to get slightly mixed, arid to experience an uncertainty as to bow many Afghanistan wars Great Britain has entered on this year, and so forth. Imagine just as a constant but general reader of Liberal principles had congratulated himself on Mr Gladstone's return to power, hi 3 hopes being crushed by the announcement of the probable overwhelming majority for the Conservatives, the Dwistan Times not having yet got through the general elections. But what a treasure such a paper will prove to the historian of this great country- no facts stated positively one week and withdrawn or contradicted the next; no hasty statements accepted merely on the bare authority of his "own correspondents'" wire, received at the last moment before locking up* and published to appease the morbid appetite of the public; no illconsidered item will be found in its immaculate pages. These are virtues, we confess, to which we can make no claim; but while admitting these, we do take exception to our contemporary sailing, so to speak, under false colors. Of late, as we have already stated has been the case in the past, the Dunstcm Times has had another fit. of violent activity, and we have been' belabored unmercifully for our sins of omission and commission, and we ara still getting it because we will not kiss the rod. It cannot be at the hands of our esteemed fellow- collaborateur : the noble commander and owner of the Dunstan Times has not possessed so much venom in the whole course of his blameless life as appears) in any of his weekly articles under the present regime, But this startling change, which is perhaps a mystery to its readers, ia none to us. We know whose trick it is at the wheel—it is an experienced old sea-dog only recently shipped, but a weather-beaten old salt, who has sailed in all waters, cold and hot-—one who generally knows which, way the wind blows, and who generally goes* before it. He was once in the regular service as a sort of naval instructor, and many commanders of Government vessels in these latitudes served under him as midshipmites.; He was* one of the "Rulers of the Queen's Navee" in foreign parts. He. joined the, good' ship "Constitution" at Wellington some few voyages ago, but his conduct is not favorably spoken of—not steady, enough. Tlje boatswain and his mates complain that iliey never know where to find him. They do rjpt say he is idle, but they are never sure of him—now he is in the port, and again in; starboard watch, but they say he is always at- " grog ho," when, though only rated as an ordinary seaman, he tosses off his ration like an A.B. He has a genial temper, and is a great hand at yarns in the forecastle, and in port is a favorite with all the bumboat women. He has never been entrusted with the wheel. The cruise before the last, owing .we have learned to unusually steady conduct, it was thought advisable to make him one of the Quartermasters, but being allowed on probation a small show, he could not for once' tell which way the wind was going to blow, and, putting the helm up when he ought to have put it down, he brought the ship up standing, and was himself also taken aback. Great was the indignation of the ship's company, the result being that he was marooned that voyage, but has since been allowed to rejoin, under the strict supervision of the master-at-arms, however. The present engagement is of course a mere yachting trip (no pay and no responsibility), and he will probably remain where he is until the "Constitution" sails again next June—that is tosay as long as any ammunition remains on board. The Dunstan Times is an old craft, built and launched on the Clyde in 1862. She is a wooden (headed) vessel, but nevertheless, being copper (and brass) fastened, may float a few seasons yet. When first launched she stood well at Lloyds, and could cope with most in these waters. Some of its noble captains are gone, and will float no more. Tts great guns were frequently exercised in the past, and its ardent supporters and owners believed that their thunder was heard at St. James', and that they in a modest way ' influenced European politics.' ' Alas! hotochanged! •' • '<•■'■. «.•'•'-"' <-i <->'.' : -.'-