Mr. Cottis stated in an interview later, "I am sorry that this should have happened. I want to emphasise that I have no intention of excluding the Press from the court—I think they should be there. I made the request because I wanted the remark te be a private one. I did-not want it broadcast, as I was merely speaking in a personal sense.
"T was the presiding magistrate and there was a batch of 50 summonses for motoring offences. The remarks related to speeding, and I asked the police officer whether certain areas which I. regard as. Forest areas should be affected by a 30-mile limit.
"I asked the reporter not to give publicity to these questions as they were purely a matter between myself and the police. I addressed him twice without receiving any acknowledgment, but I know he heard me. Someone in court nudged him. and called his attention to the fact that I was speaking to him. The reporter then said that he was there to report the cases and that it rested with his editor as to how much should be published.
"T then asked him if he was going to continue to take down my remarks
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.