Parliamentary Handbook Exchange: report of proceedings Ball and Chain Restaurant 25th March 2026

 It was a very enthusiastic membership of the  Wuhan Waistcoat Society, Parliamentary Handbook Exchange and etc who met at the Ball and Chain on a fine day in late February 2026.

The meeting was called by one Geoffrey Leigh Sealy, on the basis that he was (in his words) "Lumbered with all the bloody books".

True, when some of us attended his 70th birthday BBQ in his backyard earlier in the year, swift departure and a glissando away from the library now accumulated meant Sealy had become the repository. A bare bailee in Norman Palmer's words. The duty was too much for a retired barrister, hence the lunch was called.

After fine riposte  and joyous engagement across the table, the decisions on distribution took on more existential air.

"Do we want to continue to have so many books". In absence of dissent, the result is a firm 'no'. So we must return to our basics.

For the present however the books were distributed as follows;

Upcher: State of the (University of Tasmania) Union

Curtly O'Farrell: Cobber Henry's 'Revelations', and admitted to holding 'Hookers of old hobart Town

Fentonio: Kirton's Standard Speaker AND Dudley Pope 'Flag 4'

Cook: The Utas Law Review, Bill Cox Miscellany, and Callinan 'The Coroner's Conscience'

Kimber: departed wtih the Thanks for Everything Bob edition of the 1984 Parliamentary Handbook (the gift edition presented by Sealy to Kimber on his 60th birthday) AND the12th edition Parliamentary Handbook (property of Upcher) AND (for want of a more enthusiastic recipient) the Dobson Mitchell and Allport history 1834-2009 (my, doesn't time fly).

Leigh Sealy - retained the Australian Legal Convention, the original co-owned 1984 Parliamentary Handbook, and the new book 'In Search of Wales'.

Avoiding uncertainty about discard, a notice of motion was put forward, to lie on the table to the effect that the members determine which books to retire from the WWS/PHE organisation. That is, which are to be returned to owner, which to be held by whom, and which to be discarded as superfluous. 

Next meeting/luncheon: sometime toward mid 2026 or in the spring. Venue: to be determined.

For further reference: see Nosebags & Diversions whatsapp chat.

Image: I wonder if this is the same Bob in the 'Thanks for Everything Bob' note in the 22nd edition of the Parliamentary Handbook?

Image: Fenton's work on ship building: what you can do if you are not a dilletante. 

Image: the books 'in question'.

Image: invoice from Sealy's store, Bothwell, indicating perhaps a not glorious financial success, having the number "2" on the invoice, indicating that only one invoice was ever delivered

Reflecting for a moment on Paul Cook's inability to get out of continuing legal education via court process, he did seem to run into some disreputable people. Here is one extract from Cook v The Russian Woman 2022 (decision of Judge Vasta)

Without wanting to mince words, they were two of the worst witnesses that I have encountered in my judicial career. If Ms Yushkova told me that it was sunny outside, I would definitely bring my umbrella, such is the lack of credibility of this witness.

and I don't hesitate to note that of the two witnesses, Paul was not one!