A DEFAULTING SOLICITOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13393, 23 January 1907, Page 7

A DEFAULTING SOLICITOR.

MISAPPROPRIATES CLIKNTS'

MUX M VS.

COMMITTKI) FOR SKXTKXCK.

[HY TKI.KfJRAI'H. — I'RKSS ASSOCIATION'.]

(.'tißisrciiuncH, Tuesday. Harry Francis, solicitor, appeared before Mr. Bishop. S.M., this morning to answer several charges of converting clients' money to bis own use. There were four charges relating to sums belonging to .lames Henry Thomas, viz., £160 on or about, July 3, 1899. £2,00 in April. 1894. £75 in September. 1903, and £100 in September. 1905. The accused was undefended.

• lames Henry Thomas gave evidence as to paying the money over to Francis to be invested on mortgage.

Detective Kennedy stated that on Saturday, January 19. the accused handed to him a list of the moneys he bad received. The statement wat> given to him voluntaiily, and read as follow s :

" New Brighton. January 19. 1907. Detective Kennedy, Christchunh. Dear Sir, With reference to the charges against me on the following informations, viz.: 11. Thomas Uossitor Bros. £200: Sloane, £100: Dixey. £175: total, £475. J. Smith Keogh. £100: Ihoinas, £200: total. £300. Grand total, £775. As 1 have from the lirst- informed you. I intend to plead guilty. 1 trust you will admit 1 have given you all the iniorma

tion and assistance in my power as to the above, and all other mutters in connection with my business, and handed you all papers you required in refeienee thereto, and in other matters in inspect of which you might have inquiiies made. - (Signed). 11. Francis. List of defalcat :—A- Thomasßosstlor Bros., £200; A. Dixey. £175: Sloane. £100: total. £475. J. Smith--Keogh. £100; Thomas, £200: total. £300. R. Atkinson—Rossiter Bros., £200; Rayner. £150; sundry promissory notes, £100: total. £450. Mrs. A. Mann, moneys paid to Hie and not accounted for. £275: Total, £1500 (approximately correct, to within £100). -(Signed). Harry Francis. January 19. 1907.''

The accused had given witness every assistance from lie time he was arrested.

The accused pleaded guilty, and was remanded to the Supreme Court for sentence.

Accused was further charged with stealing a sum of £100 and a sum of £200. the property of .Joseph Smith, the dates being March." 1905. ami February, 1906. The accused pleaded guilty to this charge also, and was committed to the Supreme Oourt for sentence. Detective Bishop, who conducted the case for the police, raid th.it theio wore the only charges on which it was proposed to call evidence. The aeeused applied for bail in order to get his business straightened out, so that he could hand it over to another solicitor. The magistrate granted bail, accused in £500 and two sureties of £250 each.