The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-01-25 00:00:00

DORSET WINTER ASSIZES.

Contrary to general expectation, Lord Justice
Ragaßay and Mr. Justice Lopes were enabled to reach
Dorchester by the six o'clock train from Winchester
on Thursday. Their lord ihips were met at the
station by the High Sheriff (Walter Ralph Benham,
Hag ), and the Under-Sheriff, (T. Rawlins, Esq.).
The judges were conveyed in the sheriff's carriage to
the Shirehall, headed by two trumpeters, and escorted
by • body of police. Mr. Justice Lopes having
attended the opening of the commission, his lordship
proceeded to St. Peter's Church. The Worshipful the
Mayor (W. Darden, Req.), alio attended, scoompanied
by Mr. Alderman Gregory, Mr. Councillor Arthur
Loa, and the Town Clerk (Giles Symonds, Req.), all
attired in their robes of office. The service was con-
ducted by the Rev. T. W. Knipe (rector of the parish),
and the Sheriffs Chaplain (the Rev. A. C. Douglas)
preached from the 2nd Psalm, v. 10, 12.

CROWN 00IIRT—FRIDAT.
(Beton Mr. Justice Loess.)

On the Judge taking his seal, it wee evident that
mins difficulty would be experienced in obtaining
irtand juqman. On the Clerk of the Assam (Mr.
8,,m) aLlling over the names, only nine gentlemen
answered, and as 13 are required by law, and mi no
grand jurors seemed to be forthcoming,
The Jonas said: Gentlemen who would be on the
Grand Jury, if we could get one, I think it would be
better if the Court adjourned till 12 o'clock, when
perhaps some other gentlemen will be present.
The Court accordingly stood adjourned. On re-
assembling only 12 gentlemen had put in an appear.
sacs, but Mr. Bankee informed the Court that Captain
B. Foster, R.N., was willing to serve. TMs made up
the required number, and accordingly the following
were sworn in :—Sir John Nbchel, H.C.B. (foreman),
Mr. W. E. Brymer, M.P., Colonel &qr. Bingham
Mr. R. P. Pesitherstonhatigh, Mr. E. Pearce, Captain
B Foster, R.N.. Major-Genera Sharlock Henning,
CR.. Captain A. E. Manna, Mr. W. A. Banks.,
Captain Biddle, Mr. R. G. Farquharson, Mr. A. Cook
Farrar, and Mr. R. W. Williams.
The Royal Proclamation against vice and immor-
ality having been read by the Clerk of the Assize.
The JUDO. proceeded to charge the Grand Jury.
He mid: Gentlemen of the Grand Jury,—We are told
there has been no weather like the present within the
period of living memcry, and I take ills all proba-
bility within the period of living memory there has
been no difficulty like that I have had at present,
through no fault of their own, in securing a sufficient
number of grand jurors. I rejoice to find that we
have now obtained a sufficient number to enable we,
at any rate, to commence the criminal business of the
wine; whether the witnesses could attend and
whether other perform connected with the trial can
attend, so as to enaVe me at any rate to proceed with
the business, lea matter that remains to be proved. I
have said to you there are a sufficient number
of Grand Jurymen present to enable me to proceed
with the mazes. You are 13, and, perhaps, the
number being so small, I ought to tell you that bills
smut be found by a majority of the jurors, and that
the majority must consist of 12 at least, and it is for
this rasa ,n that the number of jurors ought I. consist
of 03, and cannot be less than 12. However, gentle-
men, being 13, that is a sufficient number, al I have
already stated, to enable me to proceed with the
criminal business of the assize Perhepe you may not
be aware of the qualification f Grand Jurors a' assizes.
There is no qualification for Grand Jurors by estate
requisite ; all that is required is this—thin they should
be liege subjects of the Queen, that they should be
ramped by the Sheriff, and should not be outlawed,
or fled the santuary for treason or felony, provided
which (and I have no doubt you can c,mply with these
reqoisitee) you are fully qualified. Having expressed
his pleasure that the calendar was not a very heavy
one, his Lordship briefly alluded to one or two of the
cams, and then dismissel the Grand Jury to their
zoom.