XN000022-1978-01-25 — Page 18

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1978

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PAYMENT OF JURORS ALLOWANCE

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ALLOWANCES FOR JURORS CANNOT BE PAID AT THE CONCLUSION OF A TRIAL BECAUSE THE PAYMENTS HAVE TO BE CHECKED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MR. HOBLEY WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE REV. THE HON. JOYCE M. BENNETT WHO ASKED IF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ARRANGE SUCH PAYMENTS BE MADE TO THE JURORS AT THE COURTS AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE IR SERVICE ON A CASE RATHER THAN LATER AT THE SUPREME COURT ACCOUNTS OFFICE.

MR. HOBLEY ADDED THAT ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF PAYMENT WAS ALSO MADE BY POST IF A JUROR SO ASKED.

HE SAID THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT BELIEVED THAT THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS DO NOT IN PRACTICE CAUSE ANY INCONVENIENCE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE SERVED AS JURORS.

IT WAS ALSO NOT CONSIDERED THAT THERE IS A CASE FOR ABANDONING THE CONTROLS NOW EXERCISED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES WHICH WOULD BE NECESSARY IF PAYMENT WERE TO BE MADE AT THE CONCLUSION OF A TRIAL, HE ADDED.

BILLS PASSED

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THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY PASSED THREE BILLS INTO LAW.

THESE ARE THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANK ING CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978, MERCANTILE BANK NOTE ISSUE (REPEAL) BILL 1978 AND SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977.