BREACH OF ELECTORAL ACT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13778, 17 June 1908, Page 7

BREACH OF ELECTORAL ACT.

A HOTELKEEPER'S ERROR. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION".] Chbistchurcu, Tuesday. Thomas J. Fox, who was? defended by Mr. Dougall, was cnarged before Mr. H. W. Bishop, S.M., this morning on six informations with having committed a breach of the Electoral Act. He admitted five breaches, and the remaining one was withdrawn. Mr. Dougall said that defendant was the licensee of the Southern Cross Hotel, and during conversation with his wife, the barmaid, the cook, and two oihe,. person,"-At the hotel, he ascertained that they were not on the electoral roll. He obtained the necessary • forms, and, instead of allowing the persons who were making the application to fill in certain portions- (the signatures), he unwittingly filled in the whole of the form, including the signatures, in all cases but one. This was by consent of each of the parties interested, and in the remaining case it was done by permission of the applicant's husband. The magistrate said defendant was a business man, and be must know he had no right to write other people's names. If this sort of thing was - carried on during the next few months- a nice sort of roll would be had. Publicans, above all persons, should be very careful. The penalty was £20, or three months' imprisonment, and it was necessary to let the public know that such an act would not be allowed. A fine of 20s and costs on each charge was imposed. The fine and costs amounted to. £18 Bs.-~ . . .