VOTE FISHING AT AN ELECTION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 229, 21 June 1919, Page 8

VOTE FISHING AT AN ELECTION

MAX PINED AT AUCKLAND. B.v Telegraph—l'rcsa Association, Auckland, Jane 20. A young man named IT. P. Clnrk eairm befprc Mr. Wilson, S.JI., to-day on n charge of having interfered with'a voter' who was proceeding to the polling booth, with (lie intention of influencing Jiis vote. Tlie admitted facts were that on the day of the municipal elections a voter going into the polling booth was handed by the defendant a card on which "vvhs printed "John Jolly Thomas, nn oncrgetio. and experienced candidate, who stands for clean administration." The defendant was not a paid agent, but had been merely "currying on" for half au lionr while Mr. Thomas, the candidate, who had been watching his own interests at the spot, had some tea. _ Mr. Dickson, for the defendant, argued that the more act of handing Ilio candidate's namo to a voter was not an attempt to influence the voter, and quite a customary proceeding in comicction with clodions. Senior-Sergeant M'NamaTa: Not within three days of the election.

His Worship slated that ho considered it an iutorforciiee with a voter to hand him a card bearing the candidate's name, and it appeared to him that the obvious intention was to inlluenco tho voter's mind on tho subject ot' tho election. Ho wns of opinion, that this was generally recognised. Defendant would be fined <£,') ami lis. costs.