SUMMONSES BY POST

Waipa Post, Volume 32, Issue 1788, 29 July 1926, Page 4

SUMMONSES BY POST

POLICE OFFENCES AMENDMENT. (By Telegraph. Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The House went into .committee tonight on several Government Bills. A new sub-clause was adde/J to clause 5 o'f the Justice of the Peace. Amendment Bill, on the motion of the Minister, Hon. F. G. Rolleston, as follows: “(3) Nothing in the 'last preceding sub-section shall be construed to prevent a person who makes an answer to a charge otherwise than by way. of evidence on path from thereafter during the proceedings making answer by-way of evidence on oath.” Tlie Minister moved a • new clause authorising a summons to be served by registered letter addye'ssed to the person concerned at hi s last known or most u/sual place of abode. Mr W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne) .suggested that the law societies., should he consulted) first. Mr J. McCombs (Lyttelton) described the proposals as .a “dangerous innovation.” The Minister pointed;out/that this class of .service would be 'limited to informations and a receipt for the letter must be signed by the person to whom it was addressed. The Leader of the Opjposition, Mr H. E. Holland,, said ithe. country settlers would welcome the change, since it would save them the cost of mileage for the delivery of a summ'ons. As long as they could he sure the letter would be delivered to some responsible person the change would be perfectly safe, •’ Mr E. P. Lee (Oamaru) thought there shoujld he a period of a weeliA fixed between the delivery of the letter and the hearing of th- .summons. , An amendment by Mr McCombfe was defeated by 50 votes to 15 and after the Minister had assured the House that this department would exercise care in its administration the clause was adopted. A new clause w.as added authorising .members of the Legislature to witness declarations. The Bill was then imported with amendments.