SLEPT IN COURT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 257, 31 October 1939, Page 8

SLEPT IN COURT

BRISBANE JURY UNABLE TO REACH VERDICT BRISBANE, Oct. 24. Brisbane’s Supreme Courthouse was converted into a boarding house last night. Meals were servea for 58 men and beds found for 15. The jury in the case in which 38 men were charged with unlawful assembly had not agreed, and were locked up for the night. The judge completed his summing up at 3.25 p.m. Wnen the foreman announced soon after 7 p.m. that the jury could not agree, Chief Justice Blair said he thought it was "really a case in which the jury ought to come to a conclusion one way or other.” ‘lt is not difficult,” he added. The jury withdrew, and shortly after came back to Court. Chief Justice Blair then said he understood the jury was of the opinion that no good purpose would be served by keeping the Court and officials there that night. Foreman: That is so. Chief Justice Blair then adjourned the Court until the following morning. Between 6 and 7 p.m. waitresses were running in all directions, carrying buckets of tea. Stewards carried hampers of food on their shoulders. T’he jury were given a three-course dinner by the Justice Department; the accused, a regulation prison tea by the prison authorities. Eight more meals were provided for the chief bailiff and the police guards. When the jury could not agree, the bailiff had to make a hurried search for mattresses. Tx?y were brought to the courthouse by taxi, and taken to the jury room. Several of the jury slept on the long table, the rest on the floor. The jury were allowed to walk up and down a verandah for a smoke and a breath of fresh air in the hot night.