DUAL VOTING CHARGE

Evening Star, Issue 20982, 22 December 1931, Page 15

DUAL VOTING CHARGE

ACCUSED SENT FOR TRIAL [Per United Press Association.] GISBORNE, December 21. A charge of dual voting at the General Election was preferred in the Magistrate’s Court against Frederick Valentine, a veterinary surgeon. The evidence showed that the marking of tho rolls by the poll clerks indicated that a person of this name voted at the Masonic Hall in the morning and at Whinray’s Hall in tho afternoon. When interviewed by tho police Valentine stated that he had no recollection of having voted at the latter, place. Evidence was given identifying Valentine as having been at tho booth and voting. The defence was a definite denial of plural voting. Tho accused said he was positive that ho had not entered Whinray’s Hall. He was not interested in politics and had never attended a political meeting in New Zealand. The magistrate said thero seemed to be an absence of motive on the defendant’s part. At tho same time he must hold the case for a jury. The accused pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial.