THE HON. MR PHARAZYN’S CASE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2587, 22 July 1882, Page 4

THE HON. MR PHARAZYN’S CASE.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM ]

WELLINGTON, July 21,

The following is the report of the Polccl Committee appointed to enquire into the circumstances under which the Hon k'r Pharazyn was convicted under the Corrupt Practices Act, 1881: —We have the honor to report that the committee, having made the necessary enquiry, find that the following verdict was returned in the caao of Regina v O. J, Pharasyn—“The jury find that Mr Pharasyn, having voted once at the election for Thorndon, did apply ‘at the said election for a voting paper in his own name, but so applied under the impression that he was voting at a different electorate for another candidate, and believed the mistake was honestly made,” and that, in passing sentence, his Honor the Chief Justice spoko as follows All I can say, Mr Pharazyn, is that I regret any possible inconvenience arising from your having committed this offence. I am satisfied the more so, as the jury expressed themselves that there was not the slightest intention on your part to commit an offence. On the contrary, I am satisfied yon recorded your vote under an honest mistake, and that you adopted the same means of ascertaining whether you wore going into the proper district as other people. Some may have seen in the newspapers a list of the polling places, and become confused. Others anight have been more attentive and pro iseeded to the proper booth, and a great many others may have been content with simply the information given to them by persons who had the appearance of authority, and so far :u I can form an opinion I cannot say it was unreasonable on your part to act as you did. On the whole I think it better to dispose of the case at once. I might take either of two Bourses. I might not pass judgmental all, simply accepting your own bail to come up for judgment whenever called upon by the Crown, or I might pass a nominal sentence. On the whole 1 think it best to pass a nominal sentence. The sentence of the Court, therefore, is that you be confined one hour, to commence from the commencement of the sessions, which period of course has long since passed, and therefore your confinement Is also passed, and you are at lioerty to leave,” and that concurring in these views thus expressed by the Chief Juitico the committee recommend that Mr Pharazyn should be relieved from the civil disabilities to which in consequence of the sentence ho has necessarily become subjected. B. Oliver, Chairman.