42
43
Never
read the question mooted.
But now in
reading the Ordinance it seems to have been intended
for the benefit of Prisoners and whether a speedy trial is for the
benefit of a Prisoner must
depend on the circumstance
of each case. The English law
while it takes care there shall
be no unnecessary delay gives
the accused
every opportunity to
prepare a
deliberate defence.
It was this which served to influence the Chief Justice in refusing to accede to a hasty trial of the Malay Samarang. I witnessed the application because I was present. Samarang gave
no assent to a quicker trial and the decision of the Judge
appeared to me such as Judges in England would have
arrived at
Referring to bringing matters to trial I never found any
difficulty in putting the matter
on a par. No parallel can be fairly drawn between the term "at issue" in England and in this Colony. Business at Westminster Hall is
steady and continuous here it is limited, often fitful
and
irregular. Parties to suits with witnesses are
going
and
returning to and from
the Colony and it is frequently
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