Globe, Fri 8 Jan 1886 1
OPENING OF A NEW CITY
COURT-HOUSE.
———◦———
A pleasant little ceremony took place this morning at the Water Police Court, the occasion being the opening of the new Summons Court-house, which has been erected during the past year, from plans prepared by the Colonial Architect, the work being carried out under the supervision of Mr W Coles, Acting-Colonial Architect.
Photo: Peter de Waal
When the court opened Mr Lowe, on behalf of the members of the legal profession (in the absence of Mr Roberts the senior member), in a few well chosen words complemented his Worship, Mr Whittingdale Johnson, SM, on taking his seat for the time in the new Court-house. He said his Worship’s judgments were always received with satisfaction by the members of the profession as well as by the public, and he hoped the same cordial feeling would continue between the bench and the legal profession, and that Mr Johnson would long continue in his present seat was the wish both of himself and his legal brethern. [sic]
Mr Addison acknowledged the compliment paid him by Mr Lowe, and said he was very pleased with the new building. It was high time that such a building should have been erected.
Mr Inspector Attwell endorsed the remarks of Mr Lowe.
The exterior of the edifice has a very pleasing appearance, being composed of dressed Pyrmont freestone, with a flight of blue stone steps leading to the principal entrance well protected by a massive iron gate. A wide passage runs between, the structure and the walls of the charge-court, thus making a very convenient way of access to the rear of the premises and the cells. The interior of the courtroom, which is spacious apartment, measurers 50ft in depth, with a frontage of 28ft to Phillip-street, and is 19ft 6in in height. The floor is composed partly of wood covered with linoleum and partly of asphalt blocks, which have the effect of entirely deadening the sound produced by the treading of feet, thus neutralising to a certain extent some of the irritating noises which at times inconveniences and annoys the court. The room is admirably lighted by a number of windows placed in the walls near the roof, and also by a large and well designed skylight. The ventilation has been well attended to, there being no fewer than seven air vents, the largest of which measures 9in in diameter, is placed in the centre of the floor, the remaining six being distributed on the walls, three on each side. These vents are fed by currents of air conveyed to them by pipes placed under the floor from a wind chest between the flooring joists in one of the magistrates’ rooms. The wind is produced by a neat hydraulic contrivance, working a fan 2ft in diameter, which drives a current of air along the main pipe, whence it is distributed over the building, keeping the temperature at a very cool and agreeable degree. The room is replete with all necessary conveniences for the proper and rapid despatch of police business. There are also a couple of rooms at the rear, which are to be used as private rooms for the magistrates.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 8 Jan 1886 2
OPENING of a NEW COURTHOUSE.
———◦———
The new courthouse, which has been in course of erection in connection with the Water Police Court for some considerable time past, was opened yesterday. Mr Whittingdale Johnson, SM, was the first magistrate to preside upon the bench in the new building.
On Mr Johnson taking his seat,
MR J LOWE, solicitor, congratulated him upon being the first magistrate to preside there. It was with extreme pleasure that he met his worship on the present occasion. A new courthouse had for a long time been badly wanted. He regretted very much that Mr William Roberts, senior, solicitor, who had been present at the opening of many halls of justice in the city, was absent. He knew that Mr Roberts intended to be present, but in his absence the pleasure of congratulating his worship had devolved upon himself. On behalf of the profession, therefore, he had much pleasure in congratulating his worship upon having such a structure in which to administer justice. For a long time past the magistrates and public had suffered very much from the terrible atmosphere of the old court. It was very gratifying to find that they now had a place in which they could conduct their business with comfort.
MR JOHNSON briefly replied, thanking Mr Lowe for the remarks he had made. He was very pleased that the new courthouse had been built, for it was quite time something was done for the convenience of the magistrates. There was a chance now of those magistrates who were in good health not losing it, and of those who had suffered through the foul atmosphere of the old court regaining their health.
Mr SUB-INSPECTOR ATWILL also made a few congratulatory remarks, and stated that the police were also much pleased that the new court was now open.
The new structure, which is to be used chiefly as a summons and small debts court, has been erected between the old courthouse and the police station. It has a good frontage to Phillip-street, and the main entrance is protected by a large porch, secured by iron gates. The building comprises a large court-room, and two rooms for magistrates. The court-room is large, lofty, and exceedingly well-ventilated. The fittings are of polished wood. Plenty of accommodation has been provided for persons having occasion to attend the Court.
1 Globe, (Sydney, NSW), Fri 8 Jan 1886, p. 8.
2 The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 8 Jan 1886, p. 3e.