CHANGED HIS NAME

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8265, 30 October 1912, Page 1

CHANGED HIS NAME

EDWARD RABBIT’S CONSCIENCE

TROUBLES HIM,

Press Association.

AUCKLAND, October 29. ' At' the Police Court Edward Rabbits (Mr McVeagh) was charged with having made a faise .declaration by stating to the Registrar that his name was Robert Louis Roberts, whereas it was Edward Rabbits. '. • Recently Rabbits was'troubled-in nis mind as to the validity of bis marriage, and ho consulted th© clergyman who officiated at tbo ceremony. Th© clergyman advised him 4 to seo th© Registrar, who' reported the -matter to th© Regis-trar-General, with the result tnat a prosecution was . ordered and . Rabbits duly appeared in court. The facts adduced in evidence..were that Rabbits ■ had • com© to Auckland from th© South Island in January of this year, and had given out that his name was Robert Roberts. He fell in love with a girl and became engaged to her. Notice of marriage was given to the Registrar on April 29th, and defendant was married under tho name of Robert Louis Roberts on May Ist. Mr McVcagh said lie had .been instructed by his client to admit the facts elicited in evidence. In bis own mind, however, he had no doubt there was really no charge to .answer- Counsel quoted English authorities to support his contention that a man could change his name as often as he liked without an Act of Parliament or a deed of poll. ... Tile magistrate said he concurred with counsel, but he thought it would . be better for the parties to hare a Supreme Court decision on the matter. At' Westport he liad had a similar case before him. and when it was referred to the Supremo Court it was thrown out by the Grand Jury. The difference in that case, however, was that tho man had altered only his 'surname. Defendant was accordingly committed to the Supreme for trial. He admitted the facts in evidence, but reserved bis defence of the charge. Bail was allowed defendant in his own surety or £2O.