The Session's Press Gallery.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume V, Issue 5, 1 February 1902, Page 357

The Session's Press Gallery.

SOME NOTES ABOUT OUR PRESSMEN.

By Gustave Bknnktt.

fNB evening late in the long and arduous session of the New Zealand Parliament, just concluded, I had the privilege of being conducted through the Press rooms and gallery, where those eyes of the public patiently toil night and day that the Colony may comfortably read its Parliamentary news over its coffee and toast. It is well said that Members, from the autocratic Premisr himself down to the Members from " out back," have a wholesome fear of those keen critics who tell the news out to many thousands in the morning ; and it is fitting that Pressmen should have a line or two all to themselves.

The Gallery this session contained many notable men, and I recogtiise several whose careers have been interesting. At the far end of the long row sat Mr. Cohen, of the Dunedin Star, Chairman of the Gallery, and a veteran Parliamentary hand. He has been noted throughont for the comprehensive accounts appearing in bis journal, and more than one " scoop " stands to his credit, notably the famous report of evidence given before the Groldfields and Mines Committee, and for which he was indicted for breach of Parliamentary privilege, and narrowly escaped being called before the bar of the House. The time of the House was wasted for many hours while the House stood on its dignity and roared out wrath against the Pressman who had dared, who had actually presumed to tweak its tail, and it ended up by fining him £15, without even discovering how he obtained the report. Mr. Cohen is also a keen theatrical critic, ,and his notes as " Call Boy " are relished

by Dunedin theatre-goers. Ho is, in addition — and it is no small distinction — most popular amongst his fellows.

Another notable figure is Mr. 11. A. Lougbnan, a veteran journalist, and a good all-round man, lovingly designated " Father" by the other members of tho Gallery. Mr. Loughnan appears on behalf of the Lytteltbn Times, and he also represents one or two other papers. His work in New Zealand is well known, and has been most favourably commented upon by the London Times, the

most powerful journal in the world. Mr. Loughnan was the one chosen to write the history of the Royal Visit, and the work could have been in no better hands. He is • ne

of the most charming of raconteurs, and has a never-failing fund of anecdote, while his graphic recounting of ancient Maori legends interests all whose fortune it is to hear. The next figure along the row is Mr. P. Nolan, of the New Zealand Times, an indefatigable worker, and auother veteran. He is popular throughout the House, and all the Members who are anybody at all know " Pat," and seek his assistance occasionally. Mr. Nolan is also a musical critic of high order, and is a keen student of the topics of the day. He was formerly sub-editor of the Ckristcharch Press.

Mr. George P. Brown is also there, another well-known representative of the New Zealand Times. He has done excellent work during the Session, both in the House and in the Legislative Council.

Then comes Mr. A. Burns, of the Press Association, who never seems to rest. He has the responsibility of many papers on his shoulders, but no point in the long, and sometimes wearisome, debates in the " pit " below escapes him, and the Colony is well

served in him. His cordial, genial manner makes him a favourite with all, and when a pressman wants " an hour or two off to the theatre," or somewhere else, lie always invokes "Alec's" aid, and it is invariably forthcoming. The Auckland Star is represented by Mr. C. 0. Montrose, another "old hand," and, as he is described by his fellows, " a jolly good old sort." Then comes Mr. Maioolm Ross, of the Christ church Press, and other papers, and his name is well known throughout the Colony, and beyond, as a descriptive writer of considerable power. He acted as special commissioner of the Christchurcli Press and Otago Daily Times during the Eoyal Visit, and has filled a similar position on many other occasions. He is a most prolific journalist, and the Colony owes many of its descriptions in papers beyond the Colony to Mr. Ross, and his work has been favourably commented upon by many leading jonrnals.

Next to him is Mr. Harold Grordon,of the New Zealand Herald, a young, bnt capable pressman, and his careful and well-written

reports are much appreciated every morning by Auck landers. Thou comes Mr. Ernest D'Esterro, of the

New Zealand Times, a recent addition to the Gallery, and a brilliant writer in all branches of journalistic work, and whoso descriptive articles have been relished both at Homo and abroad. He is, perhaps, one of the most travolled of the Colony's pressmen, and works such as " Calcutta to Kabul," and " Pen and Pencil in Ceylon and Burmah," stand to his credit. As special commissioner for English magazines in tropical lands, Mr. D'JKsterre has gained wide experieuce, aud wears the gold decoration of a Parisian Academy of Arts and Literature. He shares with Mr. Loughnan a reputation as a student of the Polynesian race.

Then another veteran greets me as I walk through. He is Mr. T. Morrison, of tho

Hawlces Bay ' Heral d', well known for ni any years in Parlwimentary life as a pressman,

and raoi'e than once as chairman of the Press Gallery. Next to him sit Mr. F. K. Reeves and Mr. E. V. Hall, both of the Evening Post, and their full and comprehensive reports of proceedings are more than appreciated in the Empire City. Their columns are noted for their careful accuracy and their keen criticism of the Premier's sayings and doings, the Evening Post being frequently described as the bete noir of the Premier's Parliamentary life. Mr. Reeves was formerly a

member of the ranks of English journalists, but has now been some years on the Post. He is vice-chairman of the Gallery, and a very popular " vice " he is. These, then, are the constitution of the Gallery — a very happy little family — and the Colony has every reason to be proud of its Pressmen of the Session of 1901, whose ranks number so many notable figures. That Parliament itself appreciates their labours is evidenced from time to time by the graceful tributes to their reports paid by Members on the floor of the House.