SUPREME COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 106, 7 May 1935, Page 9

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS OPEN.

CALENDAR NOT HEAVY. The fact that the offences alleged -jvcre not those of hardened criminals, and that the calendar, 18 indictments and two retrials, was not a heavy one for a district of the population of the Auckland province, was commented upon by Mr. Justice Fair at the opening of the Supreme Court this morning. His Honor said that this seemed to indicate that the people of the province had respect for law and order, and also it reflected credit on the police, in whom the public had confidence. One .or two of the cases for the consideration of the Grand Jury were criticised by the judge as not strong. In another, which he said was one of the most serious, the evidence was wholly circumstantial. There was the charge against three men of breaking and entering a country store and stealing a safe. There was evidence that one of the men had been seen in the vicinity, and when the three were accused they gave varied accounts of their movements. The safe was broken open, but none of the contents was found on any of the accused. The following comprised the Grand Jury:—Messrs. W. Goodfellow (foreman), E. Angus, H. _Corbett, M. K. Draflin, R. A. Fa 11a, W. Harlev, L. H. Heard, H. M. Hewlett, F. Jeffers, A. Main, L. Mandeno, G. K. Masfen, W. Meller, J. T. F. Mitchell, G. G. Pollard, H. C. Robinson, C. C. Speddinj, A. C. Tucker, J. R. Warnock, P. F. Watson, I S. Whitley and W. C. Young.