“JUSTICE NOT ALWAYS DONE”

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 69, 14 December 1935, Page 16

“JUSTICE NOT ALWAYS DONE”

Suppression of Names of Accused Persons STAND BY PALMERSTON JUSTICES Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, December 13. A linn stand as regards the question of suppression of names was taken by Messrs. E. Whitcombe, J.P., and W. Lowe Black, J.l’., at the Magistiates Court at Palmerston North this morning, when Harrild Hales Hutchison, of Palmerston North, ox-solicitor and commission agent, appeared on remand charged witli committing arson by setting fire to a dwelling at 128 College Street, on October 28. Detective-Sergeant J. Bickerdike asked for a further remand until Friday. Mr. G. I. McGregor, appearing for Hutchison, asked that bail of £250 and two sureties of £l5O each be renewed, and that the magistrate’s action in sunpressing the name be again followed. Mr. Black demurred, and said that there had been much comment recently in the Press regarding the suppression of names. “There is an uneasy feeling going about the community," he added, “that justice is not always done in the suppression of names.” It was not intended to ask for suppression at the hearing, counsel said, but only until the facts came before the court. His client’s case was somewhat different from the others who had already appeared before the court. He was pleading not guilty. Mr. Black : If he has a complete answer to "the charge, then he need not be afraid of publicity. Mr. J. M. Gordon, appearing for Douglas Henry Colin Baker, of Palmerston North, brewer, charged with committing arson by setting fire to the Mnkotuliu Hotel on May 8, 1933, said that, the magistrate had suppressed his client’s name also, and urged that this was a reasonable procedure to follow. The bench remarked that they had a duty to the public as well as to the accused to consider. Mr. Gordon repeated bis request, and said that in not granting the suppression the bench were only pandering to the public. Mr. Whitcomb: For that matter the public know very well who these men arc. Mr. Gordon : Only the publie of Palmerston North. Mr. Whitcombe: Anyone who read the previous cases. The justices retired to consider the matter further, and on their return Mr. Whitcombe announced that they would adhere to their decision. “The names will not be suppressed,” he said. “It is not in the public interest.” Accused were remanded until Friday morning, bail being fixed case at £250 and two sureties of £l5O each.