CHARGE OF ARSON.

Grey River Argus, 9 June 1922, Page 3

CHARGE OF ARSON.

CASE AT NAPIER. N APIF.R, .June S. (Per Press Association.) At the Supreme Court to-day Bertram Alexander High was found not guilty, after two days’ trial, on five charges of arson and attempted arson at Ormondville. JURY’S UNUSUAL REQUEST. During their deliberations in a case in which a nnui was charged with arson, the jury requested -Mr Justice Chapman to allow them io have his notes of the evidence. The Judge refused, but he read over portions of the evidence required by the jury. The following rider was addc'J to the jury’s verdict: “That in. tho interests of justice, where there is such a complexity of evidence as in this ease (the hearing lasted two days), the jury should be furnished with a copy of Die official record of the testimony of all witnesses. ’ ’ His Honour received the rider, but disapproved of it. During his IS years on the Bench, he said, this was tho second time he had been asked for his notes. Ho would communicate tho j rider to tile proper quarter, but was sure no good would result from it.