THE CHARGE AGAINST DR. COLLINS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 32, 7 February 1905, Page 4

THE CHARGE AGAINST DR. COLLINS.

THROWX OUT BY THE GKASB JURY. THE JURY DTVTDED. END OF THE PROCEEDINGS. At the Supreme Court yesterday tie public interest was mainiv centred in th. ease of manslaughter against Dr. Col lins. which was occupying the attention of the Grand Jury in camera late in the afternoon. Numerous medical men were to be observed waiting wearily in the lobbies for their turn to be examined, and as the day advanced the news ' gradually spread that the Grand Jury was examining everyone of the wit. nesses whose names appeared on the depositions. This was taken as an indication that the charge was to be thrown, out. for it wa; h-ld that while the Grand Jury could commit for trial on the evidence of one solitary witness it could not throw out a bill without examining every one. It was nearly six o'clock when the jury first reported on the case to the judge. The foreman (Mr B. Kent) then informed His Honor that the Grand Jur? was in a little bit of difficulty. Ther were not unanimous on the case. Ther wished His Honor to inform them if they could decide the ease by a majority. and if so by what majority. His Honor replied that he believed a, i bare majority could decide the ease, but Ihe would examine the law on the sub- | ject. It was so unusual for a Grand •Jury to disagree that he had never pre--1 viously had the question raised before j him. After consulting works of referI cnee His Honor said these confirmed Ms opinion that the Grand Jury could decide by a bare majority. The jury then retired for a few nunutes. and returning stated that ther had thrown out the bill. This therefore is the end of the proceedings against Dr. Collins. It is understood that the minority on the Grand Jury who opposed tbe throwing out of the bill consisted of three