NON-PAYMENT OF JURORS.

Press, Volume XLI, Issue 6118, 28 April 1885, Page 3

NON-PAYMENT OF JURORS.

TO THX KDITOB OF TOT TBX9B. Sib,—l wish to call public attention to the fact, that jurors summoned to the Supreme Court for the Nisi Prius Sittings ate .sot paid unless they are sitting on a case. Now, it seenu a great hardship that about three dozen men should have to attend, the Court when, perhaps, only four or six are wanted on each case that ia sent to a jury. Fancy men coming all the way from Bangiora and Lincoln and elsewhere, paying their train fares j and this morning when we got to Court the door was closed, and no notice posted on it to tell the jurors they .were not wasted.. On enquiry being maids, we learned that we had to appear at ten o'clock on, Saturday morning; "While we were diaouaeing the evbject the member for Christchurch South (Mr Holmes)" came up. 'One of the juror* asked him. if he oalkd the non-payment of jurors-good law. Well, !he said/r? It is law, but it is a rascally law. The best thing for yon to do is to draw up a petition, get it largely signed, and present it to Government next session, and I will back it np in the House." I think this would be a good plan, sir, but I don't know who is going to " Bell the cat.". I think, perhaps, if some one of these " Political Associations " take this in hand something might be done to get a clause inserted in one of the Acts to compensate all jurors that are summoned. Tonrs, &c, One of teb Waiting JtrBOBS. April 22nd, 1885.