The Blue Spur Case.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 174, 11 March 1873, Page 7

The Blue Spur Case.

The longest case ever tried in Otago or, we jglievo we are correct in stating, the colony, anie to a conclusion on Wednesday. Sevensgen sitting days were occupied in the case jlayton and Co. v. Morrison and Co.—the nry returning their verdict on the morning if the 18th day. The case would have exuded much longer, but both sides did not a ll many witnesses they had summoned. Jleven witnesses were called for plaintiffs ,ji fifteen for defendants—exclusive of a fitness examined under commission in Vicpria. The evidence was concluded on Monjay, at half-past 10. Mr Barton occupied [lie remainder of that day in his address to !he jury, which was capital—the attention of lis listeners being kept to his arguments by ipt anecdotes and racy sallies fired off at intervals. Mr Macassey commenced his reply ,{ 10 a.m. on the following morning, and jontinued speaking till one o'clock. His ipeech was really an eloquent and able one, telling from beginning to end, and when the learned counsel sat down, there was a spontaneous burst of applause from those assem bled in Court. At 2 o'clock his Honor commenced to sum up, and concluded at a quarter to 5. The jury then retired to a private room in the Victoria Hotel, there being no accommodation in the Court-house. During the whole day the Court-house was crowded. At 10 o'clock, the jury returned to the Courthouse to ask his Honor a question regarding the law of support. At 12 o'clock, refreshments were supplied, and the jury locked up. At a quarter to 7 o'clock the following morning, the jury, after 14 hours' deliberation, arrived at a verdict, which his Honor received at a quarter past seven. Each day's evidence, as in the Tichborne case, wa3 speand printed for counsel. The my' cost £204, and the total expenses of the trial will probably exceed £2500. A number of law points have yet to be argued in bayico, go that it will probably be some time before the case is finally concluded. The case was well contested from beginning to end. It was one of the fiercest legal battles ever fought—the opposing parties yielding not one inch till fairly compelled to by overwhelming circumstances. — Tuapcka Times. The damages claimed by plaintiffs, it will be remembered, were £OOOO. The jury's finding amounted, in all, to £2375.