MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1933, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

; REFERRED . BACK CASE : .GREYMOpTHjV September 25. '• i Before Mr; : .Meldrum 5.M.,. the eas6 roB-'Cogswell j. vl George Hayden . - Morgan, ' . w;hieli>,; on ■ ’ 'appeal .' .was referred- “- back • from the Supreme .Court‘to the Magistrate, with r, direction 'to • enter a conviction against : Morgan,- came,-up for disposal. Morgaii was- charged that at Taylorville oh May 5,1933 j in' the Borough Of Bnlnuer, on the day of the Brunnfei* Borough elections, he did interfere With electors while on thir . way 1 to vote, with the intention bf influencing them as'to their votes.-

Mr T.- F. Brosnan, for defendant, said the only question now was the fine. He asked that the Magistrate treat the case as a test case. Since judgement uas given 'in June, a deputation from the United Burgesses of Christchurch had waited on- the Christchurch rM.’s P., ill connection with a similar matter. On that .occasion it was pointed out by several speakers, and fortified by legal opinions,.- shat tickets were legal, unless they advised the persons, to whom they were, issued, how to vote. That deputation had also recommended an Amendment to the Local Elections and Polls Act in connection with the matter. Defendant, said counsel, was unemployed, and would have to pay the octets of the appeal so he asked that he he convicted and ordered to piay costs.

The Senior-Sergeant said the prosecution would he satisfied with a nominal penalty. Defendant was convicted and fined ss. plus the costs of appeal.