ELECTORAL ROLL

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 288, 9 November 1925, Page 8

ELECTORAL ROLL

FALSE DECLARATION

FINE OF £2 IMPOSED

At tho Magistrate’s Court this morning, before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., Frederick William Craig, of Hunterville, was charged with knowingly and wilfully making a false statement in an application for electoral registration in the district of Palmerston North —that he had resided in the district for a period of not less than three months immediately preceding the date of application. Mr J. W. Rutherfurd appeared for accused and entered a plea of not guilty with regard to the statement “knowingly and wilfully.” Detective-Serfeeant Quirke said that, after being two days in the district, accused made application for registration.

Evidence was given by Ernest C. Foote, registrar of electors, to the effect that, on October. 14 last, he received an application for enrolment and, as a result of inquiries he had made, found that the application was not in order. He had suggested to the department that he was loth to institute a jirosecution on account of the applicant’s physical condition. David Murray, electrical engineer, a canvasser for electoral rolls, said that accused had signed an application form in his presence, and knew what he was doing. Witness understood then that accused had been a resident of Palmorston North for some time. Accused that day appeared to have taken drink. Detective Russell read a statement given by accused to the effect that he was a cook at Mangaweka before coming to Palmerston North. He met a canvasser, but, he said, as far as he knew the form was not read over to him and, if it was, he did not understand it. In reply to a question from Mr Rutherfurd, the detective stated that Craig, whose name was subsequently found on the Oroua roll, was a general muddler and when under the influence of liquor was not up to the average mentality. Detective-Sergeant Quirk© also stated he did not think Craig would wilfully sign the paper and counsel put in a similar plea, stating that his client was in indifferent circumstances—he earned only £2 a week. t The magistrate said that there was no doubt that the paper had been read over to accused who had had an opportunity himself of reading it. Accused mqst have known he had been away from Palmerston North for the past 18 months. If the case were dismissed it would he difficult to get a conviction in similar cases, but taking into consideration the man’s physical condition the fine would he £2, with costs. 11s.