Supreme Court CRIMINAL SESSIONS TO BEGIN TODAY

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30741, 4 May 1965, Page 12

Supreme Court CRIMINAL SESSIONS TO BEGIN TODAY

The Crown Prosecutor (Mr C. M. Roper) will present to the Chief Justice (Sir Harold Barrowclough) 15 indictments against 17 persons at the opening of the Supreme Court criminal sessions in Christchurch today. The Chief Justice, who will sit for the first fortnight of the sessions, is relieving during the absence overseas on sabbatical leave of Mr Justice Macarthur. The indictments to be presented include two of rape, two of threatening to kill brought against three persons, and others of burglary and false pretences. One hundred and fifty-eight persons have been called for service as jurors during the first three weeks of the sessions—l 9 women and 36 men in the first week, 13 women and 39 men in the second, and 14 women and 37 men in the third.

Because of a change in the law, which became effective this year, indictments against other alleged offenders may now be presented during the sessions.

The Chief Justice will preside in the main over the criminal jury trials. Mr Justice Wilson will deal with judge-alone matters. Mr Justice Boys will relieve in Christchurch for a fortnight from May 31, and a Wellington judge will relieve for a fortnight from June 28. Other judges will relieve for periods during the remainder of Mr Justice Macarthur's leave.

Mr Justice Henry, of Dunedin, will preside at the Nelson sessions commencing on June 22 and the Blenheim sessions commencing on June 29. Mr Justice Perry, of Auckland, will preside at the Greymouth sessions commencing on July 13. Christchurch judges normally cover those circuits.