HE SITS, LISTENS AND WRITES

NZ Truth, Issue 1062, 1 April 1926, Page 6

HE SITS, LISTENS AND WRITES

FORTY years a Hansard reporter. - Think .of at! In two score of years, , With all-night sittings, weary, tedious debates, incomprehensible speeches, and that awful divining to find meaning by mumping— -what a t«*:al for any mere human ,being. But so. far F. W. Weston, who, hurries .off to the quiet'' and speechless Auckland m vacations, because, perhaps, he cannot get further away frbin the seat of Government, has survived his life's task and is to-day as vigorous and alert as any cub reporter ever' was. „ • ' If he has any hobby it is shorthand. He is an authority m the art. The faculty by which he records, word for word as they fall, the eloquence or nonsense of some of New Zealand's politicians of the past .and: present has not dimmed his enthusiasm for his hobby. Outside of Parliamentary work, he is a man of many parts. A voracious reader, he can converse on most subjects. His experience 6i and intimate contact with legislators and leading figures m the public life of New Zealand since- the early days, added to his liberal endowment of intelligence, gives him a wealth of anecdote besides making) him a fountain of information. "•■•■■ ' Judging by the effepts of his long service m the House of Representa- > tives, as well as his wprk m the field of journalism, he will yet see through, many momentous .and historic sessions of the Parliament of New Zealand.