Evening News, Fri 27 Apr 1883 1
ORANGE COURT-HOUSE.
Orange, Friday.
The new court-house will be formerly opened on May 10. The Minister of Justice, and other members of the Cabinet, will take part in the ceremony.
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Evening News, Thu 10 May 1883 2
THE ORANGE COURT-HOUSE.
The new court-house at Orange was to be opened to-day, and in view of the demonstration to take place upon the occasion, the whole of the Ministry were invited to attend, butt were unable to do so. However the invitations were accepted by the Hon HE Cohen (Minister of Justice) and the Hon GR Dibbs (Colonial Secretary), and those gentlemen, accompanied by Mr Dalton (member for Orange) left last night by special train, after having been present at the banquet given by Sir John Hay.
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Evening News, Fri 11 May 1883 3
NEW COURTHOUSE AT ORANGE.
Orange, Friday.
The new courthouse at Orange was officially opened yesterday. There was a good attendance of the inhabitants, but no enthusiasm was displayed over the event. The Ministers of Justice and Mines and the Colonial Architect were present. The police magistrate dilated upon the growth of the district, and referred specially to the absence of flagrant crime from the district. The Minister of Justice read a reply, expressing the hope that the event was an augury of the future advancement of the town, and congratulated the residents upon the absence of crime. Three hearty cheers having been given for the Queen, the proceedings terminated. At night a successful banquet was held.
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 11 May 1883 4
OPENING of the COURTHOUSE at ORANGE.
(BY TELEGRAPH.)
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
————
Orange, Thursday.
Barnet, opened 10 May 1883, and built from locally quarried sandstone.
Photo: Peter Bonsall-Boone
The Minister for Justice and the Minister for Mines arrived here by special train this morning, accompanied by the Colonial Architect, forming a smaller party than had been anticipated. During the morning they visited the public buildings, in company with the police magistrate, Mr T Dalton, member for Orange, and other influential residents. At noon the official opening of the new courthouse took place, in the presence of a fair assemblage, including a number of ladies. The proceedings were of the ordinary character on such occasions. Very little enthusiasm was shown. The police magistrate spoke of the growth of the district since a Court of Petty Sessions had been established here in 1847, culminating with the necessity for the present handsome structure. At the conclusion of his speech he read an address to the Minister from the Bench recognising the liberality and attention to local wants manifested by the Government in the erection of the new building. Reference was made to the absence of flagrant crime in the district, proving that good order and obedience to the laws were observed by the people. The Hon HE Cohen read a reply accepting the occasion as evidence of the important position obtained by Orange, hoping this would be an augury of the future advancement of the town, adding his congratulations at the absence of crime as proved by the court records. He also added a few remarks touching the proper course of judicial procedure. The proceedings closed with three cheers for her Majesty the Queen. A banquet was held tonight, which was fairly attended.
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 12 May 1883 5
BANQUET TO MINISTERS AT ORANGE.
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(BY TELEGRAPH.)
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
———
Orange, Friday.
Upwards of 50 gentleman were present [at] the banquet to the Ministers who attended the opening of the new courthouse, held last night. The Police Magistrate presided. The Mayor of Orange occupied the vice-chair. In responding to the toast of “The Ministry,” the Hon HE Cohen referred to the work which had been done during the past session, reminding those present that the present Ministry were called to office under exceptional circumstances, under which it was almost impossible for them to meet Parliament with an elaborate policy; but he claimed, so far, that the Ministry had satisfied the House and the country. During the present recess the Government would be occupied by considering the complex Land question, and as the Ministry were called to power specially with a view to deal with the important matter, he hoped they would be able to submit a measure that would meet the approval of the country. The Local Government Bill was the only other measure he foreshadowed in his speech, at the conclusion of which he was much applauded.
The Minister for Mines in his speech in returning thanks extolled the meat industry, and dwelt at some length on the present Land Act, the defects in which, and their mischievous results, could scarcely be estimated in a purely agricultural district where absorption into large estates was practically unknown. He upheld the appointment of Messrs Morris and Ranken, the Land Commissioners, not on the ground that the Government required additional information, or to assist them in forming their policy, but with a view to afford Parliament and the country information from an independent source. He repudiated the idea that only one set of men could be found to govern the country.
The toast of “The Parliament” was responded to by the Hon JP Abbott and Dr Ross.
The Hon HE Cohen proposed as a toast “The Town and District,” which was responded to my Mr Torpy, JP. “Our Members Past and Present,” was responded to by Mr Dalton, MLA, and by Messrs Kerr and McKay, ex-members. Several other toasts having been drunk and duly responded to, the banquet terminated.
The Ministerial party left Orange by special train at 11.30 pm.
1 Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Fri 27 Apr 1883, p. 2.
2 Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Thu 10 May 1883, p. 3.
3 Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Fri 11 May 1883, p. 2.
4 The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 11 May 1883, p. 5.
5 The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 12 May 1883, p. 12.