SESSION OPENS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 245, 15 October 1940, Page 8

SESSION OPENS.

SUPREME COURT.

THE CRIMINAL LIST.

CHARGE TO GRAND JURY.

I think the number of cases for trial is not excessive for this large district," said Mr. Justice Smith, in charging the grand jury in opening the criminal session of the Supreme Court to-day. There were, he added, 19 cases, involving 20 persons, of whom four were women.. The charges comprised one of attempted murder and suicide, four sexual offences, nine offences against property, and five cases connected with the alleged negligent driving of motor cars. "It is regrettable that there are five serious cases connected with the driving of motor cars," continued his Honor. '"One would have hoped that cases of this sort would decrease. You will find that in four of them there is evidence that the accused person had been taking alcoholic liquor before the accident occurred. It is, perhaps, not an appropriate occasion on which to indulge in general observations on that subject, because the persons charged are entitled to a fair trial without general comments, and your duty is simply to find where there is a prima facie case." Without further comment his Honor proceeded to outline the evidence presented on the various cases, remarking that there had been five cases alleging sexual offences, but one of the accused had pleaded guilty. He suggested that the evidence put forward by the Crown | was sufficient to justify the accused perj sons being put on trial in all the charges but one. Mo Bill Directed. "There is one case in which I think I should direct you to find a no bill," added his Honor. "It is a case against a Maori named Puku Xgawaka, charged with theft of a cheque belonging to his sister." His Honor went on to say that the circumstances showed that the accused and his sister handled their affairs in a manner suggesting common property, and on the evidence he thought there was no chance in the world that a common 'jury would /convict. Consequently he directed that a no bill be found against Xgawaka.

The Grand Jury. The members of the grand jury were: J. M. Caughey (foreman), \V. H. Ackroyd, X. L. Brodiziak, I. McK. Chambers, J. N. Cobb, G. H. Edmonds, E. P. Hobbs, G. D. Hopkins, J. D. Lorimer, A. C. Marshall, R. J. Murray, R. E. Osmond, R. Porter, J. E. Redpatli, W. A. Simpson and Jas. Thomson.