IN THE PARLIAMENTARY GALLERY 



the dinner-service : " Will he have the Rhines or the 

 Blue Pheasants ? " and his wife echoed : " The Rhines 

 or the Blue Pheasants ? " That was a puzzler, but then 

 came the idea that it was the pattern of the delf. 

 However, eventually the fifty pounds' worth of stuff was 

 installed. I used to think of the late Mr Gladstone 

 when I put in twenty minutes every morning splitting 

 logs, but it was great exercise and I can recommend it. 



It was a fine experience, that six months of the law, 

 it gave one the proper legal mind, there was a chance 

 of getting my articles or becoming a certificated con- 

 veyancer, but it was all a bit slow, yet part of an 

 extensive education. 



It was at Hobart that I had my first opportunity of 

 embarking into journalism. It was while I was in the 

 lawyer's office. It was to send condensed reports of 

 Parliamentary proceedings to the Launceston paper, 

 the Examiner. I was to assist the man who knew the 

 ropes, but Parliament opened at four o'clock and my 

 office hours were until five o'clock. However, by 

 taking no luncheon hour I was allowed to leave at four 

 o'clock, and two pounds a week for four days' work 

 was a pretty useful addition to my money. It was easy 

 at first : the Upper House or Legislative Council was 

 assigned to me. Some of the old gentlemen were great 

 sticklers for proper Parliamentary procedure, and 

 what Lord Palmerston and Mr Gladstone had said on 

 certain points was frequently quoted. My senior had 

 the House of Assembly, which of course contained many 

 more members, and where the real work was done. I 

 proved satisfactory to the Examiner people, and within 

 a month, owing to my colleague leaving, I had a rise and 

 appointed a junior. Then followed the regular corre- 

 spondence for the same paper, a weekly column in the 

 Sydney Bulletin^ and work for the Melbourne Age, etc. 



45 



