STRANGE SIGNATURES

Evening Star, Issue 23528, 18 March 1940, Page 12

STRANGE SIGNATURES

NEW ZEALAND'S LARGEST AUTOGRAPH BOOK The largest autograph book in New Zealand is growing apace, and the handwriting in its pages reveals thousands of strange characteristics to the expert; and this is to be expected, as the signatories come from every walk of life. Among the many hundreds of interesting jobs at the Exhibition, controlling the National Centennial Roll of Commemoration ranks high, according to Mr L. Newman, who is iu charge. This book, in which tho name and identity of a visitor is preserved for all time, has already amassed some tens of thousands of signatures, and after the Exhibition it is to be placed for preservation in the Dominion Museum. On the same page may be listed the signatures of bank managers, farm boys, tradesmen, school _ teachers, and almost every page has its representatives from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. “My interest in the collection of signatures has been keen ever since the Centennial roll was first signed on opening day by Lord Galway, said Mr Newman recently. “ Since then,” he said. “ many famous people have signed the book, and many unusual people as well. “From the first my staff and I have noticed many strange coincidences in the pages of the roll, caused by people from all parts of New Zealand and the world signing next to each other. One day two Englishmen signed, one next to'the other. The second man saw the name above, and was unable to believe his eyes. He told.ns that it was an old schoolfellow whom he had not seen for more than 20 years. We were able to locate his friend, and the visitors’ book brought about a welcome reunion. “But we arc not concerned about reunions,” said Mr Newman; “the Exhibition authorities’ main interest is to make the roll' as representative of New Zealand as possible.” SIGNED WITH HIS FOOT. Asked whether any unusual methods of writing had come to his notice, Mr Newman instanced as outstanding the young man who had signed with his foot. “ I have no authority to disclose his name, but I can assure you that it is true,” he said. Ho pointed out the signature and explained that the young man had asked to be allowed to sign with his foot, as he had learnt to write this way when in hospital after an accident. He was able to use Lis hands, but he wanted to sign the book a little differently from anyone else. “ Left-handers are strangely frequent,” said Mr Newman. He was not always on duty, but bo and his staff take notice of any irregularities, and they all concurred iu this opinion. “ Of the left-handers, nearly all write backhand,” he said. The staff of girl attendants have become experts at reading writing upside down. While the visitor registers his or her signature in the Centennial roll they are busy making out the Centennial certificates of attendance, on which is written the visitor’s name and address. “ Seldom are they stuck, oven for a moment, and I found one of them reading a novel upside down the other day; she told me it was easier,” said Mr Newman, with a smile.