THE BANKRUPTCY ACT.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 544, 26 June 1909, Page 6

THE BANKRUPTCY ACT.

CHARGE AGAINST A.SOLICITOR: . (By Telegraph.—Press Association;) Napier, Juno 25. / At'tho' Supreme Court to-day John James Patterson, solicitor, of Dannovirko, was found guilty of breaches of tho Bankruptcy ,Act. Counsel for accused, in asking for the clemency of tho Cour£ said his client had boon in Now Zoaland for 34 years, and during that period had borne an unblemished character. For six years of tho last ton no had been a member of the Board of Education,'for* six years ho had been chairman of the Board of Governors of the Dannovirko High School, and for three' years ho had acted as a sohool commissioner. He had been Mayor of Dannovirko on more than ono occasion.. i Mr. Justico Chapman, in passing sentence, Baid ho was sorry ho could not accede to tho request of counsel. It would bo a vory invidious tiling if ho attempted to tako such a couriTO in this case, seeing bow he had dealt with other men whore fraud was not alleged. As a solicitor, accused should havo known tho provisions of tho bankruptcy law, and the jury had no alternative. His Honour would tako intw consideration tho position accused had held. Ho was sorry to have to sontenco a man of accused's career and reputation, but ho must do his duty. Accused would bo sentenced to two months' imprisonment without hard labouri and his Honour would communicate with the Minister to see what could bo done to keep accused away from other criminals.