CHARGE AGAINST SOLICITOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 248, 19 October 1922, Page 7

CHARGE AGAINST SOLICITOR.

A HAMILTON CASE.

BKFORE THE APPEAL COURT. (Uv Telegrnp'j.—lTess Assoclntlon.l WKLLJMiTOX, this day. The Court of Appeal heard argument this morning in an application by the Auckland District Law Society for an order striking oft" the rolls, or suspend-

ing from practice, Edmund James Stewart, solicitor, of Hamilton. The prouiid* of the application were that Stewart hail in li) 14 received a sum of £■.211(1 from Katherine Minogue, and had appropriated it to his own use, or, in the alternative, that he had been guilty of gross negligence in his professional conduct in connection with the matter. The application further alleged 'that Stewart had not kept his trust account bonks so a= to enable them to be properly audited, anil that his notorious drinking habits were an open, disgrace to the profession.

Mr. Meek appeared for the Xew Zealand Low Society and Mr. Blair for Stewart.

Mr. Blair said ihe charge as to tlie trust account not being: in order could not be substantiated. Stewart's account was in order at the present time. His drinking habits had only commenced after coming out of camp, but he had now ceased drinking entirely.' As to the charge of appropriating a client's money. it had to be admitted. The transaction was not a proper one. but there was no intention to rob bis client, and the money had been repaid. The case was clearly not one for striking off. and suspension would be too severe punishment. Argument is proceeding.