CHARGE OF DUAL VOTING

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1931, Page 7

CHARGE OF DUAL VOTING

GISBORNE MAN TO BE TRIED APPARENT ABSENCE OF MOTIVEDEFENDANT’S DEFENTTE DENIAL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Gisborne, Last Night. A charge of dual voting at the general election was preferred at the Magis--trate’s Court to-day against Frederick Valentine, veterinary surgeon. The marking of the rolls by poll clerks indicated that a person of this name had voted at the Masonic Hall in the morning and at Whin-ray’s Hall in the afternoon. When interviewed by the police Valentine stated he had .no recollection of voting at the latter place. Evidence was given identifying him as having been at the booth and voting.

The defence was a definite denial of plural voting. Valentine was positive he had not entered Whinray’s Hall, was not interested in politics, and had never attended a political meeting in New Zealand.

Tlie Magistrate s-aid there seemed to be aii absence of motive on Valentine's part, but at the same time the Court must hold there was a case for a jury. Valentine pleaded not guilty and. was committed for trial.