SUPREME COURT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 271, 31 October 1932, Page 6

SUPREME COURT

QUARTERLY SESSION . NAPIER SITTINGS OPEN. ONLY ONE CRIMINAL CASE. Th- quarterly session of the bupreme Court was opened ta Napier to-day before His Honour Mr Justice McGregor. The following Grand Jury was em panelled:—-Messrs T. M. Geddis (foreman), C. E. Fountain, W. Corbett, 11. B. Cato, H. E. Douglas, H. H. Kidsnn, F. J. Fenton, 8. J. Bendall, W. Anderson, P. J. Bear, J Clark Thomson, G. C. Thornton, D. Waters, H. A. Westerholm, H. D. Stevenson, T. Rowe, T. 11. Ringland, J. B. Kenny, J. H. Oldhuiu, F. H. Williams, J. R. Amner. “lam glad to tell you that your task to-day is very light,” said His Honour in hii address to the Grand Jury. “There is only one criminal case for trial, and I think that tris wide district is comparatively free from criminal offences. There is only one indictable offence. In support of the charge there is a considerable body of evidence, but all the jury has to do is to find whether there is a prima facie case on which to place tho accused on his trial.” A true bill was returned against Thomas Alexander McNeil for a serious alleged offence, Thomas Alexander McNeil was indicted charged with an alleged offence at Hastings. Mr H. B. Lusk appeared for tho Crown, while the accused, who pleaded not guilty, was represented by Mr E. J. W. Hallett. The following jury was empanelled: Messrs H. McGregor (foreman), G. F. Morgan, J. Belcher, E. L. Weaver, A. Manson, T J. Exeter, F. O. Clissold J. H. Beach, F. F. Betchley, F. W. Leach, G. G. Stanford, A S. Pascoe. The Crown Prosecutor then outlined the case, and proceeded to call tho evidence.