JUDGE AND JURY.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17223, 13 August 1921, Page 4

JUDGE AND JURY.

A "VERDICT QUESTIONED. (press association telegram.) ' WELLINGTON, August 12. In tiho Supreme Court to-day, charges of conspiracy to defraud against Andrew Gibson Taylor, extimekeeper in the employ of the cargo department of the Union Steam Ship Company, were heard. It was alleged that Taylor took advantage of his position to falsify time-sheets by entering thereon four fictitious names, _ in respect of which wages, totalling £154 18s lOd, wero paid out, on behalf of the company, apparently through the offices of the Waterside' Labour Employment Association. The jury, after a retirement of 90 minutes, returned with a verdict of not guilty. His Honoiir Mr Justice Rood: Have you any objection to telling me the grounds on which you brought in your verdict? , The foreman: Laclc of system in paying out wages, . His Honour said that the only view

he couid take was that the jury had not understood t>hc case. He sugg 'stcd that in future, when such cases were to be considered, the Crown should apply for a special jury. Mr P. S. K. Macassey, the Crown Prosecutor, replied that he considered the case was an extremely plain one, and should have been easily understood. In future, he would apply for a special •jury.