JUDGE ASTONISHED AT CABLE FROM N.Z.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 201, 26 August 1935, Page 7

JUDGE ASTONISHED AT CABLE FROM N.Z.

TRUST BUILDING.

Action Described as "Most Extraordinary." AGAINST SALE AT LOW PRICE. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 2 p.m.) SYDNEY, this day. When the sale of the Trust Building was mentioned in the Equity Court to-day Mr. Justice Long-Innes read what he described as "a most extraordinary cablegram" he had received from New Zealand. The cablegram read: "Re application concerning Trust Building, formerly the property of the McArthur companies. New Zealand debenturerholders desire an opportunity to be heard. Are against sale at a low valuation.—Richmond, counsel for New Zealand DebentureHolders' Committee." Mr. Justice Long-Innes said that if Mr. Richmond were a barrister and had signed the cable he had been guilty of gross impropriety in addressing a judge on matters of this sort. Dr. Louat, who said he appeared for the McArthur Trust and had received no instructions from New Zealand, stated that he understood the New Zealand Debenture-Holders' Committee represented several thousand people. He also understood that they intended opposing the sale of the building. The Judge: This is an improper way of opposing it. It is of course contempt of Court. I can't do anything to them as they are out of my jurisdiction. He also expressed the opinion that the New Zealand debenture-holders should brief counsel. On account of the illness of Mr. Teece, K.C., who is representing the Public Trustee, the hearing was adjourned for a week. Commenting on the cable, Mr. H. P. Richmond said that the cable had been sent by his office in his absence, not to the judge personally, but to the judge's associate. The debenture-holders had no representation in Sydney, and the cable was at their request. Mr. Richmond had no other comment to make.