LAX METHODS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 10 August 1928, Page 5

LAX METHODS

JUDGE REBUKES SOLICITORS

(By Telegraph.—Special to "The Mail")

AUCKLAND, 9th August. The lax and careless methods of some Auckland solicitors were sharply rebuked by Mr Justice Blair during a bankruptcy • sitting in the Supreme Court yesterday. "It-seems to me that it is counsel's business to take the trouble to prepare his case," he told Mr Clarke, who was not ready to quote an authority on a point that had arisen. Mr Clarke said that he assumed that the case would have taken a different turn. /

"You are not alone in that," his Honour commented. "I have noticed that it is a habit of a lot of these Auckland men to assume many things that do not often happen." A glance at the papers handed in a little later led his Honour to address Mr Newbery. "Next time you will put your papers in order," he said. "I am getting extremely tired of the careless way in which papers are prepared. Counsel are not ready with their arguments'. It is quite common for papers to .be out of order. There are no great brains required to put a bankruptcy petition in order, but yours is not." Earlier in the morning his Honour had had occasion to tell Mr Newbery that lie was a little late, and that when a ca'se was set down to start at 10 o'clock under his honour it started at 10 o'clock.