A COURT “RECORD”

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 August 1936, Page 5

A COURT “RECORD”

REMOVED AT GREYMOUTH. Since the present Courthouse was erected at Greymouth, 24 years ago, numerous members of the Fourth Estate —visitors from other papers, and members of the local staffs —have occupied seats in the Press gallery, and have contributed their quota in recording the administration of Justice. Incidentally, in spare moments, they have practically all left evidence of their presence, by carving, with more or less artistic scrolls and other embellishments, their names, and the particular year, on the wooden surface of the long desk. The result could not be said to improve the desk, but it was interesting as a record of those who had passed from the Court to further fields. Death' called one of them, some years ago.) and his spirit, now roams, presumably, where editors cease from troubling, and the presses are at rest. Two or three others are now members of various editorial staffs, while still more have gravitated to different occupations, realising that the life of a reporter, like that of the Gilbert and Sullivan policeman, is not always happy.

Perhaps it was a survival of the spirit of schoolboy days, when names were also carved on desks, but the list of “monickers" on the scene of the labours of the Court reporters was interesting, particularly to members of the Press. It is now no more. The Courtroom is in progress of renovation, and the eagle eye of authority fixed itself on the “art gallery.” The top of the Press desk removed bodily, ono day this week, taken to an unfeeling, tradesman equipped with a planing machine, and a layer of wood was removed from the surface. It has now been returned to its place in the Courtroom, nicely varnished, with neither name nor date left on its oncemore virginal face. It certainly looks much neater, and gives some justification for the smiling official explanation, that a smooth surface is better for writing on.

In future, the men of the pen will have to depend upon their memories, if anyone wonders when So-and-So was turning out “copy” for the columns of the “Such-and-Such.” It is rumoured that the first misguided reporter who dares to deface the rejuvenated desk will get six months' hard, without the option of a fine.