WORK OF JURY SYSTEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1917, Page 1

WORK OF JURY SYSTEM.

CHARGE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNT'I L. (Wellington Dominion). Tlic working' of the jury system ai Napier and in Westland was tlto subject of a motion moved in tin* Legislative Council on Thursday. I lie lion. I. .MacGregor moved: -■ ,

That in the opinion of the Council it is desirable that the Government should cause full iti(|uiry to be made into the working of the jury system on the'West Coast of the South Island and in Napier. The mover said that attention him already been drawn to certain happenings on the West Coast. Mis attention bad been drawn to Napier by references to the recent abortive trials in a ease of manslaughter there. “In connection with this matter,” said -Mr. MacGregor, “I have learned from an authoritative source- that the administration of justice iu so far as trial bv jury in criminal cases in Napier is concerned is extraordinarily unsatisfactory. I have learned that criminal trials in Napier are literally a farce and that tile cause of this is the existence in Napier of what is practically a Tammany gang. 1 draw tile attention oi the Leader of the Council to the fact that I have his from an authoritative source.

Sir Francis Hell : A member of th< family ? Air. MacGregor: The honourable g

tlomnii is wrong. Sir Francis Bell: 1 thought you aid a family gang. Air. MacGregor: A Tammany gang led by a Tammany boss. The Hon. 0. Samuel said it was a fact .that there had been throe*abortive trials in Napier in a manslaughter ease, which had now been removed to 'Palmer stun North. But he did not think i right "that a reflection should he on si upon a whole community like Napier.

The Hon. Sir William TTall-.Tones said there was no representative of the West Coast in the Council and the reflection cast upon the citizens of tlial part of the South Island should not be allowed to pass.

The motion was adopted by twelve votes to four the Leader of the Council voting against it.