MEIKLE ACQUITTAL.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 224, 21 September 1907, Page 5

MEIKLE ACQUITTAL.

The Premier has introduced a Bill which is intended to carry out the recommendations of the commission appointed to consider the petition of John James Meikle. The petitioner was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment at Invercargill in 1887 on a charge or sheep-stealing. He served the term, and, as is well known, the commissioners who inquired into the case reported that the evidence produced to,them of his guilt was so far from- conclusive that if the inquiry had been a retrial it would have been proper to acquit Meikle of the offence.

The Bill proposes to reverse the judgment of the Supreme Court, and declares that every record of such judgment and conviction, and all prison records relating to the imprisonment so suffered by the said John James Meikle thereunder, shall be deemed to be expunged and deleted accordingly, as if the said judgment and conviction had not been given or obtained. The Bill does not confer any right of action or other remedy which the petitioner would not have had independently of this special measure.