SUPREME COURT.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12766, 12 April 1910, Page 4

SUPREME COURT.

THE NELSON SESSIONS

NO CRIMINAL BUSINESS

Tho sittings of the Supreme Court opened at the Provincial Hall yesterday, before His Honour Mr j ustice Cooper. The following grand jurors appeared on their names being calleu : — A. Everett, it. S. Booth, J. L. Adams, A. N. Batchelor, W. Rout, ' W. D. Harkness, H. M. Field, J. a. Cock, it. P. Giblin, H. Bruseuitz, U. L. uell, H. Braddell, C. P. Graham, It. Hunter, Jas. Boon, A. Robertson, J. i'". Hardey, "W. R. Ancell, P. Bond, Jas. Morrison, E. J. Allen, W. R. May, and H. Nalder.

W. J. Moilatt, Chas. R. Harley, and Thos. INeale were called, but d.<l not appear. Mr Moif'atfc later attended and offered an explanation for his non-appearance earlier, which was accepted as satisfactory by his Honour. Mr Cock was chosen as foreman oi the grand jury. In addressing the grand. jury His Honour congratulated the district ou the absence of serious crime. He said it might be thought unreasonable that the grand juirors should be asked to attend as there was no business to bring before them, but it was never known till the Court was opened whether their attendance would be necessary. He instanced a case just concluded in the lower Court which might have come into tho Supreme Court. " Then tho Crown might present a bill at the last moment. So lar, such a case had never happened in New Zealand, but it was possible at any time. He did not propose, to inflict, a fine on the jurors who had hot answered to their names, but he wished it understood that it was necessary for grand jurors to attend when summoned, unless properly excused.

There being no case requiring a common jury, the jurors summoned were discharged, it being notified that they would be paid for half a day's attendance.