PANEL EXHAUSTED.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17295, 5 November 1921, Page 12

PANEL EXHAUSTED.

StJPEEME OOTJET TBIAL HELD UP. It is very, infrequent that the panel of • jurors for the trying of criminal cases at the Supreme Court proves insufficient, but that state of affairs was experienced yesterday afternoon. Frederick Dacre was placed in the dock! about 4.45 p.m., and was indicted on a charge of carrying on the business of a bookmaker. Mr C. 8. Thomas appeared for' the' accused. Wheu five jurors had taken their seats, in the jury-box, the Registrar (Mr.A. H. Holmes) announced that the panel was exhausted, owing to the | Crown's orders to "stand aside," the challenges by prisoners counsel, and to the fact that two juries were out at the time deliberating, and called upon the Crown Prosecutor to show cause why the jurors he had ordered to "stand aside," "stand indifferently to try'' the prisoner, . •.',,.. Mr Donnelly said that in addition to ordering jurors to "stand aside," the Crown nad the right of peremptory challenge. He had not decided whether he would exercise his right to apply under Section 116 of the Juries Act, 1908. for .a talis, under which the doors of the Court would be locked and all persons in Court eligible to serve on a Jury, could be added to the panel. He for a few minutes in which to consider the question. Later Mr Donnelly stated that a* the shortage of jurors was rather a large one, he had.decided to make application, under Section 431 of toe Juries Act, for the discharge of the jury so far empanelled, and the adjournment of' the hearing. His Honour concurred with this procedure, and the jurymen were accordingly discharged, and the accused was remanded tilt Monday, November 14th, when a fresh panel will be in attendance. Although the incident is understood to be unique as regards the Christchurch Supreme Court, a similar set of circumstances was experienced at the sittings of the Supreme Court at Timartf a short time ago.