DEFAULTING SOLICITOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1921, Page 4

DEFAULTING SOLICITOR.

THE CRACKNELL CASE. COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Dec. 15. In the police court Arthur Cracknell, solicitor, appeared on twelve theft of trust, money aggregating £8723 10s. Evidence was given of money -paid to accused for investment, but never invested on behalf of Oliver Reed, £3000,. Isaac Burchill. £5OO, John Cutler, settler, £923, Arthur E. Smith, dentist, £7OO, Horace C. Smith, dentist, £250, John 0. Herrick, bootmaker, £6OO, Sarah Ellen Hamer, widow, £7OO, James Teasdale, baker, £4OO. In most cases the money became available for investment as the result of property transactions in which the accused’s firm acted. J. B. Esam, public accountant, as a result of investigation of books, said he found £47,000 odd trust money received ■by the firm of Hammond and Cracknell between January 1, 1914, and August 14, 1921.. not accounted for. There was no security for these sums, and the assets of the firm consisted of book debts totalling £27£L5, cash in the bank £ll6, office furiture about £2OO. There was nothing to indicate that the firm of Hammond and Cracknell was a continuance of the firm of Burton and Hammond. The accused pleaded guilty and. was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Bail was refused.