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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 93, 20 April 1881, Page 4

The experience of a jury at Patea ibat oould not sgree upon their verdict, and who were'. ocked ,up for tbe night, ia thus described by the Patea Mail:— "No refreshment came from the Judge's order, it being nobody's business to attend to it — as usual. Some jurors begged of the constable to fetch tbem a loaf, or a live sucking pig, or anything eßtable, ifor which they tendered money ; tbey begged to bave; overcoats fetched from the hotel j but j that officer would' not budge from tbe door for anything lees tban an earthquake. There were twelve men cooped up in a very small room, witfc three chairs and a table. Tbey could not all eit at once, or lie on the floor at once : they could only stand, and were close packed at tbat. flat. pegs were few, else they might have bung up. One juror fell asleep on the table, and wben be woke found he bad been sitting in the gum and was fast. Another got near tbe window and awoke with a stiff neck. A third tried to ait on the " cold " fire, but found a light. had just been applied. The coal-bo* served bim. Four squatted on the floor playing cards, and when they bad been eucbred tbey stood up. to. make room for another card party. So tbe jurors bad to equat down or eiand up in relief parties, there being not enough room for all to lie on tbe floor at once. At daylight the constable entered and threw water on the fire, wbich luxury was contrary to the statute in tbat case made and provided. Jurorß implored bim to bring a drink of water, but he only remarked they ought to have agreed on their verdict, and not stand pot on a trifle like that. Such was the treatment of these jurors, and suoh were the sumptuous arrangements of this model jury-room." itKJ^»gS___ha__ L I&.M-«W,<_''iWO