JUDICIAL FREAKS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2212, 20 April 1880, Page 2

JUDICIAL FREAKS.

[to the editor.] “ When doctors disagree, who shall decide.” Sir, —Some time since, m one of our law courts, the jury brought iu a verdict of guilty, without felonious intent, against Mr F. A. Sims. This verdict resulted in a forced reconsideration, resulting in a three mouths’ sentence on the information. Such is the ruling in Timaru ! In the “ Bruce Herald” of April 16, copied from the “Hew Zealand,Times ” of the 10th instant, we have the following ruling ; “ A somewhat remarkable verdict was yesterday brought in by the jury who tried George Ward Becro,who was charged with defrauding his creditors. The jury found him guilty, but were of opinion that he had no intention to defraud (a precisely similar verdict to the Timaru one of F. A. Sims) His Honor informed them this amounted to a verdict of not guilty, and the prisoner was discharged.” Where is the consistency of the law and its ruling ? Have we a trial by jury iu New 7 Zealand or not ; and if so, when and where does it come into operation ? As at present, tragedy and comedy seem to take possession of our courts, and some lino morning the people of Hew Zealand may wake up and find the following play-bills posted for their consideration :

“The play companyliiniied will place on the boards the thrilling tragedy of the innocent found guilty, with the stage under the maugement of Messrs Commerce, Law, and Jury, the whole to conclude with tlic laughable farce, entitled New Zealand trial by jury, or the guilty found innocent, or the innocent found guilt}’, or the victim of circumstances! ” Surely when such things take place it is time for the public to look around and enquire if such demoralising plays are permitted by the Minister of Flays whoever ho may be. —I am, &c., Jas. T. Partridge. Timaru, April ID, 1880.