MESSRS LAW, SOMNER & CO.'S CATALOGUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1244, 2 October 1875, Page 4

MESSRS LAW, SOMNER & CO.'S CATALOGUE.

Our attention has been called to a case of peculiar hardship in connection with an admirably compiled and elegantly illustrated Trade Circular and Prices Current, published by Messrs Law, Somner and Co., the well-known seed merchanta of Dnnedin and Melbourne. This publication, which weighs 4|- oz, although entitled a "Catalogue," is, in reality a Prices Current and Trade Circular. Besides a list of seeds with the prices, it contains directions for the cultivation of plants of all kinds, and nearly 150 finely executed engravings of vegetables, flowers and grasses. It is, without exception the best got up and most complete thing of the kind that w« have as yet seen. On the 4fch of Au .'us-. Messrs Lavr. Somner

o J -■ J ■- 3 and Co. wrote to Wellington, forwarding a copy of this Trade Circular, to have the same registered. Their Jetter was sent to the Postmaster of Dunedin, with a note appended to the effect that there could be no object in registering, as it should go by book pose. On the 14th of September they wrote again to Wellington, stating that they had sent out a few copies with penny stamps attached, upon which an extra charge of lid. had been made. The letter continued :—": — " We have made application at the Post Office here, but they inform us that they can do nothing in the matter As vre have several thousands of these lists to send out, and tbe season for sowing seeds is now far advanced, we will esteem it a favour if you will oblige us with an early reply, and thereby enable us to communicate with our principals in Melbourne by next mail." They received a telegram stating that "the Catalogue did not come under the definition of Trade Circular or Prices Current, more particularly as ife exceeded the prescribed weight — Trade Circulars over 4 oz being treated as book packets." We hold that very great injustice has been done to Messrs Law, Somner and Co., in this matter. It was never intended that so strict an interpretation should be put upon the law. The publication is to all intents and p\irposes a Trade Circular and Prices Current, aud as such it should be allowed to circulate within the Colony, for it could easily be brought within the prescribed weight, by tearing out a few leaves. The State is supported by agriculture and trade, and every facility should be given for the spread of information regarding these interests. This Trade Circular contains as already stated, not only a list of seeds and their prices, but instructions for the sowing of them and for their proper cultivation. Such information ia of far more importance than a mere list of articles with their prices. It is to be hoped that the terms " Trade Circulars " and "Prices Current" may be made to include Seed and Nurserymen's Catalogues.