AN IMPROPER LETTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 66, 19 March 1925, Page 7

AN IMPROPER LETTER.

SOLICITOR'S INDISCRETION. REPRIMANDED BY APPEAL COURT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. In the Appeal Court to-day application was made by the Auckland Law Society to strike off the roll or ternporaTily suspend' Frederick John Mouat, solicitor. His alleged oifence had its origin in the ease of the man Keogh, charged with the murder of his child. The New Zealand "Truth" reporter made a slip in his report of the case by | stating that accused had been in the hands of the police before. Mouat, it is alleged, drew attention to the slip,' which was erroneously repeated, and demanded reparation to the extent of £100, threatening to attach the publisher for contempt of Court if the amount was not paid. The paper published an apology, and also undertook, without prejudice, to see whether its Sydney principals would make an et gratia payment to Mrs. Keogh and family. At the same time it denied that Keogh, whose defence was insanity, was prejudiced by the report, and warned the solicitor that it was improper to attempt to compound for a criminal : offence. Mouat, it is alleged, admitted ?n correspondence that it was improper to compound for contempt of Court, but threatened to serve proceedings if die i amount demanded was not paid, as he ! required the money for the costs of the trial. All the correspondence was then handed over to the Law Society. Mouat filed affidavits denying that his conduct was improper, and also afti- j davits as to his good character. Mr. yon ' Haast appeared for the Law Society and ! Mr. E. J. Prendergast for Mouat. j After hearing counsel, the Court said i that Mouat's letter was improper, and i if he had considered the facts well I beforehand he would not have written it. Under the circumstances, however, it would be sufficient to order him to pay the costs only of the present proceed-