UNUSUAL CHARGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 7 November 1912, Page 2

UNUSUAL CHARGE

LAND AGENT' FINED AT AUCKLAND. , . 1 United Press AssuciAiioN.i AUCKLAND, Nov. 5. An unusual charge was Ibrought against F. A. dark,"larid 'agent, ibefore Mr. F. V. Fraser at the Police C-ourt to-day. Defendant was charged that on SepteTriber 20, not :being a 'barrister of the' Supreme Court, lie acted as conveyancer by preparing and receiving .payment "for the release K>f a certain mortgage document. 'Mr. J. U. Reed, who appeared for the iLaiw Society, stated that |he society had •ascertained .that defendant had macfe out the release. ■lt was further aware that ;he had prepared the original mortgage, but, as' that had heen drawn up over six. mouths' ago, no action would be •taken. A. fee of one .guinea had been charged for the .preparation ofthe release. TTio society .would press for a Substantial, •yet not vindictive, .peinalty. It had been .a>var'e for sorre time of the fact that this sort of thing had Ibeen going on among land 'agents, but it was difficult to get a. conviction. For the defence it was said J that, defendant was a licensed laud | broker, and had served his articles as a solicitor's clerk. He 'was under the im •prcssian that deeds xlraiwn up on printed forms. issued -by the Government at a •cost of Is could be filled u;p .by any lay maai. There was no coneealmtint of the offence tby lrim, and he had acted' in perfectly good faith. A fine of £5 with costs was imposed.