AN UNUSUAL CHARGE.

Mataura Ensign, 6 November 1912, Page 4

AN UNUSUAL CHARGE.

PEE ONITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, Nov. 5. An unusual charge was brought against F. A. Clark, land agent, before Mr F. V. Frazer, S..M-, at tho Police Court to-day. Defendant was charged that, on September 20, nob being a barrister of the Supreme Court, he acted as conveyancer by preparing and receiving payment for tho release of a certain mortgage document. Mr J. It. Heed, who appeared for the Law Society, stated that the. society had ascertained that the defendant had made out a release. It was further aware that he had prepared the original mortgage, but as that had been drawn up over six months ago no action would be taken. A fee of one guinea had been chargcxl for tho preparation of tho release. The society iwould press for a substantial though not vindictive penalty. It hiui been aware for some time of tho fact that this sort of thing had been going on among land agents, but it was difficult to get a conviction. For the defence it was said that the defendant was a licensed land broker, and had served his articles as a solicitor's clerk. He was under the impression that deeds drawn up on iho printed forms issued by the (iovernment at a cost of Is could lie fill<>d up by any layman. There was no concealment of the offence by him, and he had acted in perfectly good faith. A fine of £5, with costs, was imposed.