OFFENCE COMMITTED IN ENGLAND.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15044, 11 April 1919, Page 6

OFFENCE COMMITTED IN ENGLAND.

BIGAMY CHARGE

[Per United Press Association.]

Wellington, April 10. At the Appeal Court, in the case Rex versus Lander, the prisoner is a British subject, having married in New Zealand. He subsequently married a second, time in England, and on his return to New Zealand he was indicted for bigamy and found guilty. The question as to whether he could be convicted in New Zealand was reserved by Mr Justice Edwards for the opinion of ihe Court of Appeal, !

Mr O'Leary, for the prisoner, argued that the provisions of the section of-the Crimes Act ; 1918, dealing with bigamy were ultra- vires.

The Solicitor-General argued that the powers given to the Legislatures of the colonies under the Constitution Act to enact laws for the peace, order, and good government of the colony amply authorised the Legislature to make triable in New Zealand an offence committed in England. The case is proceeding, the Court hearing legal argument.