SUPREME COURT

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 24, 28 July 1934, Page 14

SUPREME COURT

PROGRESS OF SESSIONS

NEW JURY, PANEL ON

MONDAY

Eight of the twelve criminal cases set down for trial at the quarterly sessions of the Supreme Court at Wellington were disposed of this week. In two the accused persons pleaded guilty and thereby obviated tho necessity of a trial, and mall but one of the six cases that went to trial a conviction was entered in each. Two of the prisoners were sentenced on Monday afternoon, and the remainder yesterday. The Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers) was on the Bench throughout the week, and his Honour saw to it that no time was wasted.

Jurors summoned for service as from July 23 have been discharged from further attendance at the present sessions. A fresh jury panel is to be sworn in on Monday morning, when the trial of criminal cases will be resumed. It is understood thatthe first to be taken will be one in which a motorist is charged with negligent driving, thereby causing bodily injury. One such, case 'has already been dealt with; in that, as in another case of the kind for trial next week, the acts alleged by the Crown caused- death. The disposal of ,the four cases remaining on the list is expected to take the greater part of the week. , .

A civil.action, in the smaller.courtroom, was also set down for trial before a jury on Monday, but it is understood that a settlement has been reached and the services of a jury will not be required. There remain on the list, however, eleven other civil actions for hearing before a Judge and common jury of twelve, so that, even though the trial of criminal cases is completed next week, the civil litigation ■ will provide plenty of work. There are no divorce suits for hearing by a Judge and jury, but the list contains three defended petitions for hearing by a Jutige alone, and 48 undefended peti-