first day of the Criminal Sessions - the witnesses had appeared against the prisoner before the Magistrate having arrived on the previous day only. Magistrate reading of the Ordinance was satisfied that he had the right, and accordingly committed the prisoner for trial on the ensuing day.
For on turning to the Attorney General without notice - I delivered the Ordinance and Regulations with the Attorney General, and he agreed with them, but said he had so many other matters to attend to that he was unwilling to argue the point with the Puisne Justice, as he had been recently differing with him on several occasions - We did however very slightly, allude to the Ordinance and Regulation on his application that the Depositions should be returned into court, and the Judge said "If a prisoner is entitled to justice, purely because he is tried for his life is more to ..." and His Lordship required the five days notice to be given.
I then instructed the P.G. to apply to His Lordship to appoint an extra Criminal Session by Summons, but the C.G. thought that His Lordship had no jurisdiction, and he began by saying that I being very anxious that the witnesses should not be detained had instructed him, to put the case further forward.
He was stopped by His Lordship by saying that he had no doubt of his jurisdiction, if necessity were shown for it. This being shown a short day was appointed, giving time for five days notice.
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