It was a law and order front page on this day in 1963. There was a defamation action brought against The Canberra Times by a Sydney television retailer, Goodwins, after criticism of it in federal parliament.
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The Federal Capital Press claimed as its main defence that the wire-service story were an accurate report of proceedings of the House of Reps, and therefore privileged. The plaintiff successfully arranged the appearance of two Hansard officers, seeking to dispute that point of accuracy.
Elsewhere on page 1 it was reported Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies would open the new £300,000 ACT law courts that afternoon. Prime Minister Menzies ceremonially opened the door to the two-storey building, containing four magistrates' courts and two supreme courts, with a silver key and declared it another big milestone for the capital.
The last story of local note was a warning that bonfire and crackers would be ''strictly policed''. Police would keep an eye out to stop anyone building bonfires where they could spread uncontrolled.
Parents would also be asked to "discourage children from exploding fireworks indiscriminately''. Pamphlets were to be handed out at schools to "teach children to handle fireworks safely''.