ELECTION SEQUEL

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 106, 6 May 1936, Page 9

ELECTION SEQUEL

PERSONATION CHARGE

TRIAL AT AUCKLAND

{By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND,; May 5.

The offence of personation under the Electoral Act, 1927, was alleged to hava been committed on the day of the General Election, last year,by; James Francis Brady, a second-hand • dealer, who appeared for trial in the " Supreme Court" today. It "was" alleged by the Crown that::the ; accused voted in the morning" at .St., Benedict's Hall and then went to a booth at the Town Hall and applied for a second set of voting papers.

1 The case , came befpre. Mr. Justice [ Callan. Mr. V. "R. Meredith appeared for the Crown", and Mr.Elwarth for the accused,-who pleaded not guilty..

;. In his opening.address to the jury, :Mr.-,Meredith'said'the ;Crown,had to prove that-the. accused had^ voted on one .occasion and th,en. had. gone' along i,to another booth ;and .madeVapplfcation. tor voting papers.. It was not ".necessary for the Crown.to prove:.that he had voted a second time. .-If'the jury was satisfied that- the 'accused: had ■applied for a second' set of; ."voting papers they:were entitled^to find him guilty. ' ■- ;• ' ; -■.'-:: • : ; .

;' Erwin Sliarinan -Molony;:Returning Officer for Auckland Central; said from a scrutiny of the tolls' after"fhV election it appeared that -the accused had voted twice as- his :name ; j;w,as;. struck out on. rolls from.: Town: Hall; and St. Benedict's .Hall booths'. Witness proeduced- ballot, jpap.ers aiid. other material relating to the election^'"."""

'■ .Evidence ,of_ several officials, engaged in election "Work -was .heard., and the case was adjourh'e'd- until tomorrow.