STRANGE SIGNATURES

Grey River Argus, 20 March 1940, Page 11

STRANGE SIGNATURES

LARGEST N.Z. AUTOGRAPH BOOK. WELLINGTON, March IS. The Largest autograph book in New Zealand is growing apace and the hand-writing 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 or Commemoration ranks high, according to Mr L. Newman who is m charge. This book, in which 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. “Sine? 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 us 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 are not concerned about reunions,” said Mr Newman, “the Exhibition authorities’ main interest js 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 n° authority to disclose his name, but I can assure you that it is true/’ ha said. He pointed out the signature land 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 his hands, but he wanted to sign the book a little differently from anyone en>e- ' “Left-handers aije strangely fre--quent,” said Mr Newman. He was not always on duty, but he and his staff take notice of any irregularities and they all. concurred in this opinion. “Of the left-handers, nearly all wri-e back-hand,” he said. The staff of girl attendants have become experts at reading writing up'side down. While the visitor registers his or her signature in the Centennial' Roll they are busy making out the Centennial certificate of .attendance, on which is written the 'visitor’s name and address. “Seldom are they stuck, even for a moment, and I found one of them reading a novel upside down the pother day; she told me it was easier.” said Mr Newman with a smile.