JURIES ACT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 2762, 3 July 1894, Page 2

JURIES ACT.

| The amendment of the Juries Act is likely to engage the attention of the Legislature during the present session We have not yet seen a copy of the bill, bat it is understood that among other things it makes more equitable provision for the payment of jurymen, and for releasing within a reasonable period juries who are so hopelessly in disagreement that unanimity is not to bs expected from them. These cha'ngeß are, we believe, demanded by pablio opinion, and the bill will probably go through. As to the latter, however, it will be necessary to take oare not to err on the side of making the time before dismissal can be claimed too short. Ik is a serious thing to litigants after incurring all the expense of

infrequently happens, to have to go over the whole procedure again. Tha. j&ry should foe compelled to remain together long enough to give opportunity for fall discussion of the points of a perhaps complicated case. Bat oar purpose in referring to the bill is to urge that some change should be introduced into the law for tbe purpose of better distributing the duty of service. It is a curious circumstance that some people seldom escape the call, while others seldom serve. Juries are struck by ballot, and no one of coursehas any reason to complain of unfairness, but nevertheless the fact remains that service is not equally distributed. Tbe provision of a remedy is not altogether a simple matter, for nothing ought to be done to limit selection, bub the best suggestion which occurs is that when a man has served ho shall not be again summoned for twelve months unless in tbe meantime the roll has been exhausted — a most improbable contingency. The jury list is quite large enough to allow of this being done with perfect safety; and it would ensure thai no man Bhould be asked to do. an unfair Bhare of jury work.