COOK ISLANDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10143, 3 May 1911, Page 1

COOK ISLANDS.

PROVISIONS FOR CRIMINAL PROCEDURE. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON. May 2. A supplementary "Gazette" announces modifications in criminal law procedure in the Cook Islands. The provisions are as follows:—(D Ttshall not be necessary when a person is accused before the High Court of crime alleged to have been committed in the said Islands to hold any preliminary inquiry before a Magistrate or Justices, out he shall be formally charged with the Crime before the-Court and remanded or held to bail to appear upon a date and at a time and place to be fixed by the Court. (2) It shall not be necessary to take depositions, but if any inquiry has been held into any matter under any law in force m the 'lslands, or by any person holding an official position in the Islands, a copy in writing of the statements made by ad perspns giving evidence before any such inquiry shall be given to the person so charged in ample time to allow him to prepare a defence. (8) It shall not be necessary to summon a grand jury for the purpose of presenting an indictment against any person so charged, but any person authorised in that behalf, either by his Excellency the Governor or by the Resident Commissioner of the Islands, or by the Chief Justice of the High Court, may prepare and present sui indictment before that Court charging the person so accused with the crime in respect of which lie lias been remanded to stand his trial. (4) Such indictment may be in any form which in the opinion of the Court is calculated to give the person so charged fair and reasonable notice of the crime with whir.h he is charged.