SUPREME COURT BUSINESS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20800, 20 August 1929, Page 4

SUPREME COURT BUSINESS.

DUTIES OF COUNSEL. SOLICITOR TAKEN TO TASK. (Special to Daily Times.) ‘ AUCKLAND, .August 19. " This court does not exist for the convenience of the criminal community, Mr Matthews, and it is the business of counsel and prisoner to make themselves acquainted with the business of the court in which they are concerned. Don’t let it' occur again.”. These remarks were made by Mr Justice Herdmah at the Supreme Court this morning, when there was no appearance of Allan Walter Adams, aged 20, who should have been present to receive sen tehee on a charge of forgery. Immediately the court sat, Mr Matthews, counsel for the prisoner, said that owing to a misunderstanding Adams had not appeared. Apparently he had not been notified by the police. His Honor: Has the court to await the convenience of prisoner? Mr Matthews: No,'sir. His Honor; Who is to blame? He is put on bail. What dp you propose to do about the bail money, Mr Meredith? Mr Meredith (Crown Prosecutor): I would not ask' that bail’ be estreated, but I want to make it clear that no responsibility is thrown on the police to notify prisoners. The police are not expected to go chasing prisoners to inform them of when they are to appear. His Honor; Where is this man? •Mr Matthews; He'is at Ponsonby. He can be brought here in about half an hour. . His Honor: You were notified on Friday, Mr Matthews. It is the business of counsel and prisoner to make themselves acquainted with the arrangements made. Don't ; let it occur again. You had better have him here as soon as possible, otherwise the Crown will probably apply for the estreatment of the bail money.