TAMPERING WITH A JURY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81908, 20 December 1906, Page 3

TAMPERING WITH A JURY.

IMPUTATION' REGARDING CRICK WILLIS TRIALS. JURY MEET ATTORNEYGENERAL. PREPARED TO SPEAK IF INDEMNIFIED. ROYAL COMMISSION APPOINTED. Received l'.ltli, 11.50 p.m. Sydney, December 1!). 11l accordance with yesterday's arrangement, the whole jury engaged in the Click Willis trial waited on Mr Wade, Attorney-General, with refer enee to certain implications involving the purity of the jury sy.-deui, arising out. ot the statement published in tcr

tain papers. Il was apparent that considerable felling exists between two sections of tin- jury, those not included ill ,thc deputation who yesterday saw Mr Wade objecting to the foreman asl their spokesman. Preparatory to making any statement of the facts, the foreman sought to obtain a promise of indemnity against any action that might arise out of such state-i meut. Mr Wade gave an assurance that as far as the Slierill's ollicers were at leg.-d to be involved or concerned, no action would tie taken, but could not pledge the Government to a general indemnity. ' In support of his request for an indemnity, the. foreman said word was brought to hiiu that morning that one oi the jury had said be possessed a few hundred pounds, and as long as he had that he would hound the lore man to earth. They knew certain things which Mr Wade ought to know, but were not prepared to make a statement which lay thcui open to trouble. ,

Another juryman declared he knew notliiug. it ne did, he would make a statement. Eventually, Mr Wade suggested a Royal Commission. The foreman declared that if a Commission were appointed, six jurymen would come forward to give evidence on oath, provided they were shielded subsequently. Cabinet appointed a District Court Judge as a Koyal Commission to inquire into the matter.