BISHOP LISTON.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIII, 18 May 1922, Page 5

BISHOP LISTON.

VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY. JURY ADDS A RIDER. Press Assn. —By Tel.—Copyright. AUCKLAND, May 17. A verdict of not guilty was returned by the jury in the trial of Bishop Liston, adding a rider: “We consider Bishop Liston was guilty of a grave indiscretion in using words capable of interpretation so calculated to give offence to a large number of the public of New Zealand, and we hold that he must 'near the responsibility, in part at least, for the unenviable notoriety that has followed his utterance.”

His Honour.—“Thank you gentlemen. That is a very sensible rider,”

The announcement of the verdict was the signal for an outburst of wild cheering and hand-clapping, the shrill cries of women in'the gallery being particularly prominent.

When order was restored the Judge said that if the police could find any who took part in the demonstration he would commit them for contempt.

After counsel on both slides had addressed the jury, his Honour occupied an hour in summing up. The jury deliberated for 75 minutes.