MEGAPHONE USED

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1935, Page 3

MEGAPHONE USED

POLLING-DAY CASE DISMISSED

WELLINGTON, Ma v 31

Charles Proctor and Frederick 'James Whelan pleaded not guilty to a charge that during the hours in which municipal polls were .taking place, they made a public demonstration by means of megaphones installed in a car, by which an announcement to vote for Hislop as Mayor, was made. The charge was laid under the section of t,he Local Elections and Polls Act, which forbids demonstrations concerning the poll by living figures, e ;gies, paintings, placards, o r other means.

Counsel successfully pleaded that defendants had not made a public demonstration, because the car was moving all the time and crowds could not collect about it. He also submitted tnat a megaphone did not come within the section. Further, that the windows were covered over so that Proctor could not be seen and that Whelan, the driver could not he joined. The Magistrate said that Whelan might he charged with aiding and abetting. It seemed clear that lie could not convict. The section would have to be amended if the Legislature meant demonstrations such as tjiis. The charges would be dismissed.