O. F. NELSON

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19759, 28 March 1934, Page 14

O. F. NELSON

COURT GRANTS HIM BAIL, By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, March 27. Orders for a stay of execution of the sentence imposed on Olaf Frederick Nelson, by the Samoan High Court on various charges, and for his release from the custody of a New Zealand gaol on bail, pending the determination of the appeal to the New Zealand Supreme Court, was made today, by Mr Justice Blair. Bail was fixed at £SOO in his own recognisance, with one surety of £SOO, or two securities of £250 each. The Crown raised no objection to Nelson’s application for bail, provided there was power to grant it, and subject to his compliance v-th such conditions as the Court might think fit. After hearing Mr P. B. Cooke on behalf of Nelson, Mr Justice Blair said he thought it reasonably clear that the Court had power to grant bail. He added that the period of Nelson's release on bail could not be computed as part of the imprisonment term, to which he had been sentenced, by the stay of execution, the effect of which would be that Nelson would be no longer held in custody, and would be limited to the terms of imprisonment imposed upon him, and would not in any way affect the other part of the sentence which he understood related to a period of exile from Samoa. The Court's conditions are that Nelson must surrender to the gaoler at Paparua prison within 48 houi: of the determination of his appeal, if it is dismissed or so dealt with as to require the undergoing of imprisonment. He must remain in New Zealan 1 till the fulfilment of the conditions of release, and he must forthwith report to the Superintendent of Police of the district in which he proposes to reside, and give his address and likewise report any change of address. Whilst on bail, he is not to be concerned, directly or indirectly, with the printing or publishing of the newspaper the “New Zealand Samoa Guardian," and not participate directly or indirectly in Samoan political affairs. The application for the fk.ture for hearing of the Nelson appeal was made to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor-General. He said the Crown was anxious to facilitate as early a hearing as possible. A fixture was made for April 19.