ART. 33] REGISTRATION. 235

proof that, although he may not have had a legal residence at
the place described by him as his residence at the time of his
registration, he had at such time a legal residence in the said pre.
cinct. In determining whether any person is or is not a resident
of any voting precinct, it shall be presumed that if a person is
shown to have acquired a residence in one locality, he retains the same
until it is affirmatively shown that he has acquired a residence in.
another locality, and it shall also be presumed that if a person is
shown not to reside at the dwelling given in the entries relating
to him on the registration books, he is not a resident of the said
precinct, unless it should be affirmatively shown that he is such
resident, and the entries made in such registration books shall
not be considered by the court as evidence of any fact therein
stated, but the case shall be heard de novo. At the hearing, evi-
dence, subject only to the ordinary rules of evidence, (as modified
by the provisions of this section, ) may be introduced for or
against the application, and the judge shall dispose of the matter
summarily, by granting or refusing the order prayed, and the
clerk of the court shall make a* minute of the proceeding. The
cost of proceedings in all such appeal cases shall from and after
the passage of this act be one-half of those provided for and
usual under existing law. If the board of registry shall have
returned the registers to the supervisors of elections, a certified
copy of any such order granted by the court shall be delivered
to said supervisors, who shall, thereupon, make the required cor-
rection upon the proper registers, and under the head of
"Remarks, " note that the same was made under such order of
court. The court may enforce any such order by attachment, as
in proceedings for contempt. No person admitted to the regis-
try by order of court shall be protected by such order if prose-
cuted for false registration or false voting. In all such cases, the
petitioner may be represented by counsel, and in disposing of the
petition, the court shall have discretion to impose the costs upon
the petitioner, the county commissioners or the Mayor and city
council of Baltimore or the board of registry or any member or
members thereof, as justice and equity may require; but no
attorney's appearance fee shall be taxed as part of such costs.
In Baltimore city, the Supreme Bench shall, from time to time,
assign a judge or judges before whom, or any of whom, such