THE PERSONATION CASE AGAINST THE HON. C. J. PHARAZYN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 901, 7 January 1882, Page 2

THE PERSONATION CASE AGAINST THE HON. C. J. PHARAZYN.

Wellington, January 5. At the Supreme Court to-day the' Hon. Charles Johnston Pharazyn /was indicted ,-,. on a charge of personating at the general,, election for Thorndon by applying tor a second Voting paper in his own name. Defendant, who pleaded not guilty, was undefended. The evidence for the prosecution showed that Mr. Pharazyn,, after? having-., voted at one booths applied a&'the second , for a voting paper, which was suppliexHo s him, and having filled it up. he/deposited it in-the ballot box.. In defence, Mr Pharazyn explained, that hia voting at the second booth was a mistake. He entered the booth for the _ purpose of voting for Mr Johnston,, a candidate for the Te Aro electorate, and on receiving the voting paper he struck out the name which was not Mr Johnaton's, and l«ft under the impression that he had voted for that gentleman. So soon as he r found out his: mistake he did his best to remedy, it., • After a quarter of an hour's deliberation the jury- returned the following... ; verdict: Pharazyn having voted once at the 'election for Thorndon, did apply at the same election for a voting paper in his own name, but so applied under.the impression that;, he was voting at a different election for., another candidate, and believing the mistake was hones'tTjrmade." .._____ Mr Pharazyn contended that.the verdict amounted lo one of not guilty. The Chief Justice and counsel for the x prosecution thought differently, and eventually the question was reserved for the . Appeal Court, Mr pharazyn being ad. mitted to bail ; o,n, entering into his own ( recognisance to, appear,, for. judgment upon. Great, interest, manifested in the. case.