ANNUAL MEETING. 
439 
Mr. Burrell said that as far back as August, 1869, a com- 
munication was made to one of the members of the Parlia- 
mentary Committee, stating that the Jury Bill would be 
introduced in 1870, and requesting that some action should 
be taken in the matter. The attention of the Council was 
directed to the subject, and they referred it to the Parlia- 
mentary Committee. The matter was afterwards again 
referred to the Council, who placed it in the hands of the 
parliamentary agents. By that time the Bill had reached the 
second reading in the House of Commons, so that no action 
could be taken upon it. If action had been taken earlier, 
there w r as little doubt that the Bill would have been altered 
to suit the views of the Council. 
Mr. Coates said that as soon as the parliamentary agents 
communicated with the Council the President took action in 
the matter. 
Mr. Burrell said that the original communication was 
made to the Parliamentary Committee by himself. He com- 
municated with the Secretary, informing him when the 
second reading would come on. 
Mr. Coates referred to a letter written by Mr. Burrell on 
the 31st March, stating that the second reading would take 
place on the 16th April, and also to another letter dated the 
6th April, stating that the second reading would take place 
that day, and not, as erroneously stated in the first letter, on 
the 16th. 
Mr. Morgan said that the matter related to last year’s 
proceedings, and not to those of this year, and was not 
therefore a subject for discussion. 
Mr. Burrell said that the Bill did not pass until about 
June or July last year. 
Mr. Morgan said that in April the Parliamentary Com- 
mittee was almost dissolved, and a new committee was 
elected in June, to whom the matter would be comparatively 
fresh, and it would be no wonder if they overlooked it, 
especially as it was in the hands of the parliamentary 
agents. No blame attached to the President, who deserved 
their best thanks for the prompt steps he had taken in the 
matter. 
Mr. Greaves said that the question arose during the time 
he filled the chair. On the 6th of April the Secretary 
showed him the letter he had received, stating that the Bill 
would be read a second time that evening. He immediately 
went to the office of the Privy Council to consult Professor 
Simonds and Professor Brown. Professor Simonds was not 
there, and he then went to see him at the College, but did 
