NO CRIMINAL TRIALS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 113, 16 May 1942, Page 4

NO CRIMINAL TRIALS

SUPREME COURT SESSION For the first time in lhe history of the Wanganui judicial district.' no grand jury or common jury will be required at the quarterly session of the Supreme Court, which opens before Mr. Justice Smith on Monday morning. Only one prisoner will appear for sentence, but no criminal trials have been listed. The session will be very short and possibly one of the lightest on record in Wanga nui. Because there are no criminal trials the services of the grand jury have been dispensed with under the' Grand Jury Emergency Regulations, I£Bl On previous occasions, even when there has been no criminal business lor consideration, the grand jury has attended the session on the openin" day. Eighteen members of the grand jury were summoned to attend the Supreme Court on Monday, but they have been excused. No civil business has been set down, and 65 members of the common jury summoned to be present at 10.36 a.m. on Monday will not be required. Under the new regulations the Registrar of the Supreme Court has authority to dispense with the services of the grand jury three clear days before the day appointed lor any sittings of the Court, provided there is no criminal business. It is likely that the ancient custom of presenting the Judge with a pair of white gloves wi.il not be observed in the Supreme Court next week. The question, however, one for His Honour to decide.