BUSINESS AND RELIGION

Otago Witness, Issue 3456, 8 June 1920, Page 27

BUSINESS AND RELIGION

AUCKLAND, June 2. An amusing incident illustrating the keenness permeating the land agency business occurred in the Magistrate's Court to-day. It arose through a sale of property having been placed in the hands of more than one agent without priority, the commission being payable to the agent who concluded tho deal first. Tho agent's witness stated that he went to tho owner's residence to report a sal-} of his property, and was told that the man was at church. He therefore went to St. Benedict's. Mr J. J Sullivan: Did you find him there? —"Yes," replied witness. "What was he doing?-—On his knees, praying." "Did you start praying_ yourself ? ' —"No." "But you talked business right away, kneeling down beside him?" —"I told him I had sold his house for £875, and he replied that ho had a letter in his pocket stating that another firm had sold tho house for £900."

Mr Sullivan i "So you abandoned religion in churoh for business, and knelt down to do it?" —"No, I leaned and half-knelt over him to report the sale." It was stated afterwards by counsel that the commission.had been paid in full to the other firm.