OBTAINING EVIDENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 263, 6 November 1934, Page 4

OBTAINING EVIDENCE

GRAND JURY’S PRESENTMENT. PROTECTION OF SUSPECTS. When the Grand Jury at the Wanganui Supremo Court returned yesterday with a true bill against Michael Ansley, who, later, pleaded guilty to eight charges concerning indecent assault on young girls, it made a presentment. to His Honour, Mr. Justice Smith, to the effect that when statements were being obtained from suspected persons they should have the definite right of consulting a solicitor or obtaining other advice before making such statements. The foreman (Mr. W. J. Rogers) said that the Grand Jury was concerned with the methods of obtaining statements from accused persons. When a suspected person was approached by police or detectives in the execution of their duty, that person should be informed of a definite right to consult, a solicitor before making such statement. Police officers w r cre very courteous when they interrogated suspected persons. They did not arrest them then, but later those persons might be prevailed upon to make statements which would incriminate them, and the fundamental desire of the Grand Jury was that they should know that they had a definite right to consult a solicitor or other adviser before making statements. “I am very pleased indeed to hear the remarks you have made,” said His Honour. “I will have pleasure in forwarding yciw recommendation to the proper quarter. Whatever may be the result of your rider, it is satisfactory to know that members of the Grand Jury are taking a definite interest in the administ ration of just ire. ”

Jurymen Challenged. There were six jurymen challenged by the defence in a motor collision case opened before His Honour, Mr. Justice Smith, in the Wanganui Supreme Court yesterday, and the Crown exercised its right to stand aside another three. Wanganui Carnival. Subject to the Wanganui bands being able to return from the Timaru contest in time to take part in the big daylight procession on Tuesday. February 26, the Wanganui Carnival will be held during the period opening on February 25 and closing on March 2 next. Diamond. Show Arrangements. Final arrangements for the Diamond Jubilee Show, to be held to-morrow and Thursday, were made yesterday. Mr. D. Buchanan, of Masterton, was appointed judge of the Shorthorn beef section, and Mr. T. Randford, of Woodville, judge of the calf club section. A night show is to be held on Thursday night from 7 o’clock to 10 o’clock, while, on Thursday morning at 10 o’clock, the sale of fat, stock will take place. An exhibition of Maori mats is also to be held. Cars arc to be parked in Purnell Street, and the fee for nonmembers will be le. Come to the Show! “On the eve of the Wanganui Agricultural and .Pastoral Association’s Diamond Jubilee Show, I take this opportunity of appealing to the public of Wanganui and its district to be present at the. racecourse to-morrow ami Thursday,” said Mr. R. Farley, president of the association, in conversation with a “Chronicle” reporter yesterday. “The association has worked really hard to make the show an outstanding success, and it certainly has achieved wonderful results. We have, therefore, done our part. It is now up to the public to show their appreciation of that work and their pride in their city and district by turning up in full force.” “What is Super elevation?’’ In view of the recent discussion at the first meeting of the newly-elected executive of the Wanganui Automobile Association on the merits and demerits of super-elevation o-n roads, it is interesting to note that the term figured in a motor collision case begun at the Wanganui Supreme Court yesterday. His Honour, Mr. Justice Smith, asked an engineer of the Public Works Department, Mr. James Murray, what super-elevation was. Mr. Murray: The cross fall in the road. His Honour: It falls continually from one side to the other. Mr. Murray: Yes. He added that on the bend in question the fall was eight inches in eight feet. Mr. A. D. Brodie: In simple, every day language, the bend is banked? Mr. Murray: Yes. Mr. Brodie: There is nothing abnormal about that is there, and that band is the same as any other along the bitumen highway? Mr. Murray: Yes, it is the recognised highway standard. Mr. Brodie: And super-ele-vation simply means cant? Yes.