A BILL OF COSTS.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11762, 19 October 1906, Page 4

A BILL OF COSTS.

1 The latest thing in legal charges is being discussed in commercial circles (saya the "Otago Daily Times.") The outline of the story runs as follows: — Ad Otago farmer was so impressed with the thriving trade done by a neighboring licensed victualler that he conceived a desire to give up farming in favor of hotel keeping, and accordingly entered yito negotiations for the purchase of the coveted house. Not being well posted 1 in the prdceedure necessary to procure a transfer of the license, he determined to hie to Dunedin for the purpose of procuring the necessary legal advice. On arrival in the city he struck up acquaintance with a man at the hotel whore he put up, to whom he conflded his business. "Ah!" exclaimed his newly found friend sagely, "there are lawyers and lawyers, "and for a job of this kind you ought to go to the very best." The city man declared hjs willingness, "for a consideration," to introduce the farmer to "the best lawyer "in the city," the consideration asked being a mere live-pound note. The money was paid, the introduction carried out, and the obliging lavyer assured the farmer that he need trouble no more— everything would be satisfactorily attended to. In due time the lawyer's clerk arrived in the township aud posted up a notice on the door of the hotel announcing that a transfer of license would in clue time be applied for, and the farmer took possession. The sequel was seen when the lawyer's bill arrived, amounting to no less than £124, costs of transfer, including an item of £10 10s expenses of clerk to poßt notice on the door. The farmer paid up, but he has been wondering ever since how much he would have saved had he scorned the proffered introduction. And some friends of the farmer's are wondering whether it comes within the office of tbe Law Society to inquire into the truth or otherwise of the proceedings on the part of a member of a respected fraternity.