Perhaps a number of nefarious characters might come to mind when you think of a courthouse intruder.

However, this vagrant invader took the form of a wombat.

"A large, male wombat, muddle-headed after a hazardous crossing of Commonwealth Avenue, was found in a basement garage next to the cells where prisoners were awaiting their court appearances," the article read.

Upon discovery, the wombat was taken into custody and was surrounded by cardboard boxes until members of the ACT Conservation Service arrived.

"The service's acting wildlife biologist, Mr Mark Lintermans, restrained the marsupial in a hold akin to a full-nelson, loaded it into a truck and released it in the Tharwa area," the article read.

Elsewhere on the front page was a zesty story about "mandarins" saving "lemons".

The citruses in this instance referred to public servants saving the skin of hapless politicians, proving that bureaucrats aren't always yes men.

"The vacillation and impulsiveness of many ministers was a 'daily menace' for bureaucrats," the article read.

"Many a minister has been saved from himself by timely advice from his permanent head," law professor Colin Howard said.

Fix this text"Without naming names it is not hard to compile a list of ministerial mishaps over the past decade which can hardly have been recommended by their departments."

See https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/13022383