THE NEW COURTHOUSE - Broken Hill Courthouse - Broken Hill - NSW - Australia - News Article Locations on Waymarking.com

Formal Opening.
THOUGH the new courthouse was opened for business on Monday for the convenience of the public, still it was not supposed to be in use until it was formally handed over to the sheriff (Mr Cowper), who is the custodian of all courts in the colony. This has now been done; and this morning, when the court opened, the bench was occupied by Mr Barnett, PM, and Messrs WP Tompson and JS Armstrong, JsP.

Mr Barnett said that before commencing the business of the court he desired, on behalf of the bench, to offer their congratulations to the community of Broken Hill generally, and more especially to those whose business compelled them to attend the courts, on the completion of that very fine and commodious building it was an ornament to the town, and would help to place it on an equal footing with other towns in the colony. He was not aware whether the building had been handed over to the sheriff at the time; but in view of the great inconvenience caused by the old building, they thought they should take the earliest opportunity of using it. That a wooden building such as the old courthouse should have been used for so long a period, was strong evidence that the public were subjected to inconvenience, and he congratulated them on the change. The Government had recognised the rapidity with which business was increasing in that town by appointing an assistant clerk of petty sessions, and the public would not now have to wait so long for the transaction of their court business. He gave his testimony, and that of the bench of magistrates, to the efficient way in which Mr CG Gibson had performed the duties of a CPS, under very trying circumstances. As to the appointment of a permanent PM at Broken Hill, he had reason to believe that such an appointment would be made at once. That there was a necessity for it went without saying, and he had lost no opportunity of urging it upon the Government since he had been in Broken Hill. He felt it very hard that he should be the unfortunate individual to occupy the dual position here and at Silverton, when the business was quite beyond the power of any one man; but he could say without self-laudation that he had done his best to cope with it, and not spared his time. For himself, he had accepted the position of warden at Silverton, and would not occupy the Broken Hill bench in the future. He regretted it because the relations between himself and the profession and public generally had always been pleasant. He thanked the professional gentlemen for the assistance they had always given him, and congratulated them on the fact that their business in that court would be attended with more comfort and regularity than in the past.

Mr Edwards, as one of the profession, offered his sincere congratulations to the bench of magistrates and the public on the completion of the new building. The way in which the business of the various courts was conducted under disadvantageous circumstances in the old court, reflected the highest credit on those who had to sit there. As to the relations between the profession and the bench they thoroughly reciprocated the kindly feeling alluded to by Mr Barnett, and desired to express their hearty thanks to the PM and the local justices for the courtesy always extended to them. He also wished to add his testimony to the way in which Mr Gibson had performed his word as CPS in the old courthouse in such a trying climate. The amount of work he had got through under such conditions showed that the Government possessed in him a most valuable servant.

Mr Abbott also expressed his pleasure at the completion of the new building, and referred to the state of affairs when he came to Broken Hill three years ago. The CPS was then Mining Registrar and all-round man, and occupied a little shanty in Argent-street, which was also used by the Salvation Army, who annoyed him greatly; but yet he got through his work to the satisfaction of the profession and public. There was no courthouse in the colony—not even the Supreme Court in Sydney—which had a court-room equal to this; but steps should be taken to have a second court erected, as two courts might sometimes clash and cause delay.

Mr Barnett then said there was another matter which he wished to refer to. He had received from Judge Backhouse a valedictory address to the solicitors and officers of the courts in the North-Western district. On behalf of the bench, he wished to testify to the esteem in which Judge Backhouse was held both as a judge and in social circles. He was as admirable as a judge as he was a man, and they regretted his retirement from the district.

Mr Jhonson asked that his Worship, in replying, would convey their expressions of regret that Judge Backhouse was severing his connection with the North-Western district. While regretting his removal, they hoped that it was only with a view to his appointment to a better district as a reward for his services hitherto.

Type of publication: Newspaper When was the article reported?: 01/08/1890 Publication: Barrier Miner Article Url: [Web Link] Is Registration Required?: no How widespread was the article reported?: regional News Category: Arts/Culture

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