VERDICT OF GUILTY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 257, 11 August 1934, Page 3

VERDICT OF GUILTY.

EX-SOLICITOR CHARGED.

CARELESS METHODS OF ACCOUNTS. t (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, August 10. "We are of the opinion that in spito of his careless and foolish methods of doing business, the prisoner had no intention of -permanently depriving Wilson of his investment, and we unanimously recommend the prisoner to the mercy of the court." This was the rider accompanying a verdict of guilty delivered by a jury in the Supreme'Court after the retrial of William Perry Hollings, a former solicitor. Sentence will be given by Mr Justice Ostler on Tuesday. Hollings gave evidence, and was i cross-examined concerning journal entries. He repeated his assertion that lie rarely made entries until months after the dates of the transactions. "May I pass this journal over to you, your Honor?" asked Hollings. His Honor assented, but then said, ■ "I'll come over to you." He thereupon left his seat and leaned over the bench to the witness-box in order that he might follow in detail the references to the 'journal entries. "Didn't the auditor draw your attention to the undated journal entries?" his Honor inquired, when Hollings said that often he did not date his entries. "No, sir. He used to say I was a pretty rough bookkeeper," replied the accused. Since 1925, he repeated he had always followed the same practice of journal entries. Mr Evans Scott: Did it not occur to you to get an accountant? Accused: Yes, frequently. Mr Evans Scott: Yet you preferred to leave your books in a muddled condition? , , _ ~ Accused : My brother thought I could keep the books. I wish to heaven 1 had got an accountant. I woulcln t be hero otherwise.