CHANGE ONE'S NAME?

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1584, 30 October 1912, Page 6

CHANGE ONE'S NAME?

AT THE ALTAR

CASE OP EDWARD RABBITS. (By TelcEraph.-Press Association.) Auckland,' October 29. At tho Police Court to-day, Edward Rabbits (Mr. M'Vcagh) was charged with having made a falso declaration by slat">K to , ««> K«Bstrar that his na.no was Robert Louis Roberts, whereas it was hdward Rabbits.

Recently Rabbits was troubled in his mind, ns to tho validity of his marriage, and he consulted the clergyman who had omciated at tho ceremony, Tho clweyniau advised him to see tho Registrar who reported the matter to tho RegistrarGeneral, witii the result that a prosecution was ordered, and Rabbits duly appeared in Court.

Ihe facts adduced in evidence wore that Kabbits had colne to Auckland from tho South Island iu January of this year and had given out that his name was Robert Roberts. He fell in lovo with a girl, and became engaged to her. N'otico of tho marriage was given to the Registrar on April 29, and defendant was manned under tho name of Robert Louis Roberts on May I. Sir. M'Vcagh said that ho had been instructed by his client to admit tho facts elicited in evidence. In his own mind, however, he had no doubt that there was bo charge to answer. Ho quoted English authorities to oupport his contention that a man could change his name as often as he liked without Act of Parliament or deed of poll. Tho magistrate said that ho concurred with counsel, but he thought that it would bo better for the parties to havo a Supremo Court decision on tho matter. At Westport ho had had a similar casebefore him, and, when it was referred to the Supremo Court, it was thrown out by tho grand jury. Tho difference iu that case, however, was that the man had altered only his surname.

Defendant was accordingly committed to the Supremo Court for trial. Ho admitted the facts in evidence, but reserved his defence. Bail was allowed defendant in his own surety of ,£2O.