THE LAWS THE BRITISHERS BOAST OF.

Kumara Times, Issue 1085, 23 March 1880, Page 3

THE LAWS THE BRITISHERS BOAST OF.

[to the editor.]

SiR-r-Jt was my unfortunate lot to be one of the twelve victims summoned from Kumara as a common juryman to be in attendance, and adjudicate upon the civil case “Jones v. Ashton.” There were in all thirty-six summoned, and with one exception were all there, the absent one being excused on the production of the necessary doctor’s Certificate. After the ceremony of swearing-in the 35, twelve Were empanelled after a pretty severe challenging accompaniment from both sides. The Judge informed those present not empannelled that they were discharged from any further obligation. Each and every one immediately applied for their expenses, &c., but were informed that they were not entitled to airy remuneration in civil cases unless they were erapannelled. Thinking there must be some mistake, application was immediately made to the Judge, who verified the previous information obtained from the deputyregistrar. Now, for the benefit of whom it may concern, I for one would like to know by. what process, rank, or authority Messrs Jones and Ashton boast of to be able to take men away from their business or work to dance attendance on their financial difficulties without compensating them even to the meagre extent that a common juror is compensated when acting, or is in attendance, in criminal business. Let us suppose for illustration that the next sitting of the Supreme Court there will be six civil cases set down for hearing. 36 jurymen are summoned from different parts; a few of them do ■ Hot carry the physique or intelligence suitable to the requirements of the case ; for instance, his ears may be set too low, the base of his cranium too high, or he toay have too much hair on his teeth and none on his head; that juryman, whoever he may be or from whence he came, is challenged on each and every case, by either one side or the other. During the trial of the six cases we will imagine out of the 36 summoned six would be troubled with some of the above-mentioned failings. It is probable the Court would be occupied a whole Week, say one case per day. Is there any law, equity, or justice in discharging those six unfortunate jurymen, after paying their fares by coach to and fro, a week’s hotel expenses, and a whole week’s loss of time, without compensating t them in some way? Suppose they belong to Kumara : we will try and arrive at their probable expenses ;—Coach fare, to and fro, 15s ; hotel expenses, 18 meals at 2s, 36s ; six beds at 2s, 12s ; one week’s loss Of time, say 60s ; general expenses (unless a Good Templar), say 405,; in all £8 3s, which, multiplied by six, gives the total of £4B 18s. And this is what a man is exposed to living under what is styled a “ constitution of freedom.” t Before concluding I will make a suggestion that would, if acted upon, save a good deal of trouble and expense in the future ; that is, that each and every juryman be requested to forward his photograph, to be scrutinised by the contending parties or their barristers, in order that they can choose twelve good and true men, after their own kind, and thus prevent a repetition of what occurred on Monday last to the 23 discharged jurymen, Hie bulk of whom had been challenged, and whose aggregate expenses could not be less than £6O, say one day each at 10s, £ll 10s, for loss of time brings it up to about £7l 10s, which could be avoided by adopting the photographic process.—Yours,- &c., A Victim, Kumara, March 23, 1880.