GRAND JUROR ABSENT

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1933, Page 6

GRAND JUROR ABSENT

HAD NOT RECEIVED SUMMONS. SON HAD FAILED TO DELIVER IT. Because he failed to respond when liis name was called for the Grand Jury at New Plymouth yesterday Frank L. Hartnell was fined £5 by Mr. Justice Ostler, but the penalty was later remitted on it being explained that the summons had not been delivered. Constable Mills said he served the summons on Sydney Hartnell, a son. He said his father was away on holiday, but assured the constable that he would give the summons to his father on his return. His Honour: When was the summons served? Constable Mills: On January 30. In reply to a further question the constable said Mrs. Hartnell had' told him her husband Was back from his holidays. His Honour: Back from his holidays, is he? He will be fined £5 unless he can show cause to the contrary. Some time later Hartnell arrived at the Court to say that it was not until he was walking down the street a few minutes before that he became aware that he was expected to serve on the Grand Jury. He had been away from New Plymouth since the New Year and only returned on Tuesday. His son had left for the territorial camp at Waverley without telling him anything about a summons. His Honour accepted the explanation and remitted the fine.