LEPROSY AWARD UPSET.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 193, 21 July 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

LEPROSY AWARD UPSET.

WHY JURORS READ THE BIBLE

DURING THE SUMMING-UP,

Disagreeing with the verJict of the special jury in the leprosy case, Mr. Justice Darling, says a London paper, found for the defendants, thus setting aside the award of £250 damages to Mr. E. P. Humphreys, the lodgin-liouse keeper. The jury had found that the late Mr. H. C. Miller was a loner, that the disease was cz/itagious. and ti it his daughter and Dr. Harbord had knowingly deceived tlie plaintiff with regard to the malady. Mr. McCall, K.C., for the defence, remarked that during the judge's summing-up,- four of the jurymen who were sworn en the Old Testament (Jewish jurors are always -sworn on the Old Testament) wore passing that book to each other, ft war, obvious that what they were passing was not the law as his lordship laid it down, but the law con tained in the 13th Chapter of Levi ticus. dealing with the precautions to be taken in the case of what the Jews then knew as leprosy.

Mr. Justice Darling: I see, it Is practically a course of treatment. His lordship said it was a fascinating argument that anyone taking lodgings should bear in mind tli» commandment. "Do unto others as you would they should do unto you,' and "I think, strictly speaking, .n gentleman would do it." But. that was a long way from saying that it was the law of England that they must do so.

Judgment was entered accordingly for the defendants with costs, a stay being granted.