Evening News, 18 Jan 1879 1
COOTAMUNDRA.
January 14.
…
THE COURT HOUSE.—Now that the court-house is drawing towards completion, a few remarks upon it may not be out of place. A stranger, in passing the building, would come to the conclusion that it was intended for a private residence for a married couple without encumbrance. If we are to have a court-house, why not give us one, not one in name only. If a district court is granted us, the new court-house will be found inadequate, and the next we will hear is that tenders are called for additions to the same. I hope the same mistake will not be made with the new post and telegraph office that we are promised. So much for things done by halves.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Evening News, Thu 6 Feb 1879 2
NEWS FROM COOTAMUNDRA.
COOTAMUNDRA, Wednesday.—People here are disgusted with the delay in calling for tenders for the erection of a post and telegraph office, the plans being ready, and the money voted long ago; but nothing further has been done in the matter beyond laying the plans on the table of the House.—The court-house is nearly finished, but is very small for requirements.—A necessity has been long felt for a large public hall here, Mrs, Angore, of the Albion Hotel, is building one to accommodate nearly 400 people.—The wheat harvest is turning out well. King’s steam thresher got through 170 bags in a day.—The public reserves question is becoming a very bitter one here, through Government neglect.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Sat 8 Feb 1879 3
COOTAMUNDRA.
Wednesday.
Photo ID: SRNSW 4346_a020_a020000310.jpg
(Evening News.)—People here are disgusted with the delay in calling for tenders for the erection of a post and telegraph office, the plans being ready, and the money voted long ago; but nothing further has been done in the matter beyond laying the plans on the table of the House.
The court-house is nearly finished, but is very small for requirements.
A necessity has been long felt for a large public hall here, Mrs Angore, of the Albion Hotel, is building one to accommodate nearly 400 people.
The wheat harvest is turning out well. King’s steam thresher got through 170 bags in a day.
The public reserves question is becoming a very bitter one here, through Government neglect.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 6 Nov 1901 4
COUNTRY NEWS.
———◦———
…
COOTAMUNDRA, Tuesday.
News has been received with regret of the serious illness of Mr Solomon Cohen.
Mr John Hardy, an insurance agent, was struck by a train whilst walking on the line. He was not seriously injured.
The new courthouse is completed.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Evening News, Fri 15 Nov 1901 5
COOTAMUNDRA COURTS.
————
COOTAMUNDRA, Thursday.—The quarter sessions were opened yesterday in the new courthouse before his Honor Judge Rogers. His Honor congratulated the inhabitants of Cootamundra district on the very handsome and spacious building which had been erected.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 15 Nov 1901 6
COUNTRY NEWS.
———◦———
…
QUARTER SESSIONS.
COOTAMUNDRA, Thursday.
The Quarter Sessions were opened at the new court-house yesterday, concluding to-day. John Williams was found not guilty of sheep stealing. Patrick McGuigan pleaded guilty to cattle stealing, and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment. William Sidney Ball was found not guilty on a charge of horse stealing. Bernard Daley, charged with stealing a purse and ₤20, was acquitted.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Cootamundra Herald, Sat 16 Nov 1901 7
THE NEW COURT-HOUSE.
————
Photo: Peter de Waal
THE formal opening of this addition to our buildings was made on Wednesday by his Honor Judge Rogers, the report of which will be found in today’s paper. The history of our temples of justice is peculiar, and should be interesting in showing how Government departments waste the public money. Twenty years ago we tried to urge upon the department the unwisdom of erecting public buildings that were only suitable for immediate requirements, showing that, in a young and rising community such as this, they must become inadequate in their accommodation. The Vigilance Committee of the time backed us up in this respect, and we did succeed in persuading the authorities to avoid the blunder in the case of the post and telegraph office: but they would not listen to the local protests that were made against the erection of the extremely paltry building that was first erected for the purpose of a substantial court-house. Before that time the courts, only those of Petty Sessions and Small Debts, were held in an old slab and dab structure that was a marvel of Government architectural taste. It comprised a few small rooms that served the purpose of a dwelling for our chief police officer and his family, of a public court, in which the Police Magistrate, the clerk, the police, the professional gentlemen, and the press used to all dip in the one ink-bottle, so limited was the space, besides affording accommodation for the accused persons litigants, witnesses, and the public, and cells for the imprisoned. It was not unusual to hear drunken brawlers using the vilest language in the cells for the edification of the mother and children of the house, the Police Magistrate, and persons who were in attendance at the court. Having got out of this demoralising crib, the department provided a building that was only an improvement in style and appearance; the accommodation was still very limited. The department then began a series of enlargements (!); and we are safe, we believe, in stating that four contracts were let for additions to the building. After thus spending enough money to have built a fine, commodious structure, the local demands for an entirely new building at last prevailed, and now we have a court-house that is at least some credit to the town and that affords reasonable accommodation for all who have to occupy it. But for the attitude of his Honor Judge Forbes, who should have had our new structure a few years earlier; but perhaps it has paid us to wait for it till now. Mr Barnes. The member for the district, is entitled to the credit to a considerable extent of getting the vote for the building. The history of the court-house, like the history of railway extension, shows how the growth of the town and the community may be promoted by the public spirit of the people. With this building we have advanced considerable. The contrast between the old and the new was strikingly marked on Wednesday: it was like a very pleasant dream to ourselves, and the manner in which the court was conducted, and its whole surroundings, made us imagine that we had suddenly become a city community. From the judge to the sheriff’s officer and the police, all worked in nice harmony, and the business was transacted with reasonable celerity. We have to say that for his Honor Judge Rogers we have the highest regard: he commands respect and confidence. He is cautious and considerate, while showing that he will deal adequate punishment when it is found to be deserved. We may soon expect to be a step further advanced; and that advance would have been conceded but that jealous neighbours have resented it. A few years ago we used to have our service supplied from Wagga and Gundagai; but that is now changed, and in our highly capable, courteous, firm, and strictly unbiased Police Magistrate and Warden (Mr W Clarke) we feel sure the people are in every was satisfied.
…
NEW COURT-HOUSE.
Photo: Peter de Waal
THIS building has been erected by Messrs Sanbrook Brothers, contractors, of Sydney, under the eyes of Mr HH Sanbrook and of Government Architect McGreggor. It was commenced over twelve months ago. It adds about £7,000 worth of property to our town. It faces Parker-street, and, with the old buildings and enclosure, runs back into Cooper-st. The front elevation is a commodious porch and canopy, supported by concrete circular pillars, with appropriate embellishments, and the entrance is by a few steps of trachite, the porch being titled. The building is of brick, locally made; and it provides a fairly large court room, with the bench at the back, the registrar and sheriff’s office, and witness-box, the professional gentlemen immediately in front, the jury to the right of the bench, the press, witnesses, and magistrates’ seats to the left, the dock in the middle of the room, the jury in waiting at the back of the dock, and a spectators’ gallery to accommodate about 100. All round, and separated by corridors are the official rooms. The lights are numerous, of cathedral or fluted glass; and the ventilation abundant. The ceiling of the court room is in 15 squares, with beams, and cornices—all of Wunderlich metal of neat pattern, and well touched by the brush of the artist. The walls are also neatly relieved by tuck-painting, and cement treatment; and the whole of the fittings are of colonial red cedar, varnished. In the enclosed yard is a long asphalted passage to the jury rooms in the old building. The porch ceiling is also done in Wunderlich metal.
The front grounds provide a road for vehicles to approach up to the court steps, ample room for flower and plants plots, two large double iron gates, a dwarf wall and iron railing.
The who work is highly creditable to the contractors.
…
QUARTER SESSIONS.
————
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13.
BEFORE his Honor Judge Rogers.
This being the opening session in the new court-house we here record the names of the magistrates, officers, and others who were present:—
Deputy-sheriff, Mr W Clarke, PM; registrar, Mr LW Broughton, JP; sheriff’s officer, Mr CH Whiting.
Magistrates: Messrs EC Bartley, J Corby, E Doidge, GW Fisher, J Gibb, £ Maguire, T Mangan, W Playford, JT Stratton, JP.
Photo: Peter de Waal
Professional gentlemen: Crown Prosecutor, Mr WL Merewether; Mr J Gordon, Young; TP MacMahon, FA Morgan, RH Mathews, RA Morgan, J Florance, solicitors of Cootamundra.
Police: Senior-Sargeant Bragg (Cootamundra), Sergt Macintosh (Murrumburrah), Const McInnes (Young), Const Nolan (Harden), and Senior-const Ottaway, Constables Wren, Dresser, Anderson, and Mangelsdorf (Cootamundra); D McDonald, acting-gaoler.
His Honor said that before commencing the business of the court he wished to congratulate the inhabitants on the possession of that handsome building. He hoped people would remember that it should be a terror to evil doers and a place of refuge and relief to those who suffered oppression; and he trusted that all who presided in that court would have the grace to exact justice and maintain truth.
Mr Merewether also offered a word of congratulation.
1 Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), 18 Jan 1879, p. 7.
2 Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Thu 6 Feb 1879, p. 2. Emphasis added.
3 The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Sat 8 Feb 1879, p. 11. Emphasis added.
4 The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 6 Nov 1901, p. 12.
5 Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Fri 15 Nov 1901, p. 3.
6 The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 15 Nov 1901, p. 7.
7 The Cootamundra Herald, Sat 16 Nov 1901,p. 2.