SITTINGS AT NISI PRIUS.

Press, Volume XLIII, Issue 6492, 14 July 1886, Page 5

SITTINGS AT NISI PRIUS.

Tuesday, Jtot 13,

[Before his Honor Mr Justice Johneton,

and a Juiy of four.] The Court re-opened at 10 a.m, BOBSHBBN V WHIT*.

For plaintiff, Mr Byrne; for defendant, Mr George Harper. The hearing of this case, which was a claim for damage done to plaintiff's property from a fire alleged to have been started by defendant on bis own land, was resumed.

The examination in chief of Henry White, the plaintiff, was continued, and Mr Byrne cross-examined him ac some length. The other witnesses called for the defence were John Tyson, James McCsan, Martin Haytff, and W. Coup. / This closed the case for tne defence.

Mr Harper addressed, the jury fox the defendant, and Mr Byrne replied. Hie Honor summed up, and the jury retired at 3 p.m. to consider their verdioc. At 4 p.m. they returned into Court, and P hat they could net agree. Conor eaid in that case they would retire again. :o p.m. the foreman retorted into id informed Hie Honor that there •hance of the jury agreeing.

.Hie Honor asked tho foreman whether there was any likelihood of a three fourthe verdict being arrived at. The foreman nid he did not think so, aa *ne jury were two and two. His Honor asked counsel if tht y had any objection to his stating the law to the jury regarding the time ac which a verdict could, be received. Mr Harper and Mr Byrne intimated that 2i!L v no to the course proposed by his Honor. * ♦iFf*?! then espied to the foreman that alter they had out for three hoars he could tak* a verdict of threofonrths of their number. It, hawover, ttere was no chance of their oomin* to a three-fourths verdict they would have to be locked up for twelve hours, which would bring it to 3 a,m. next day. Aβ, however, he could not come at that hour te discharge them they would have to wait wrtU 10 a.m., the ordinary hour of opening the Court. * a

The foreman then returned to the jury room.