LAW REPORTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2509, 9 July 1915, Page 9

LAW REPORTS

COURT OF APPEAL

SOLICITOR'S CASE

CONDUCT OP W. G. H, BAILLIE

Another solicitor's case occupied* the attention of the Court of Appeal yesterday, when- His Honour tho Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) presided. The other Judges of the Court were: Their Honours Mr. Justice Denniston, Mr. Justice Sim, Mr. Justice Hosking,' and "Mr. Justice Stringer. The business to be dealt with was a motion by the New Zealand Law Society to remove from the roll of solicitors the name of William Groy Flail Baillie,, formerly of Blenheim, but now of Wellington.

Mr. A. Gray, K.C., with him Mr. D. R- Hoggard, appeared for the Law Society, while Mr. H. L. Machell appeared for Baillie, who had tiled affidavits in answer to those filed by the La.iv Society. ' Thq grounds of the motion by the. Law Society were supported by various affidavits. It was alleged that, on February 4, 1914,' respondent , received from tho Public Trustee £29 3s. 4d. on behalf of one Emma Eliza Bridgeland, and that he had .neglected to pay or account for the sum, which he had appropriated to his own use. It was .also alleged that Baillio was not fit to be on the rolls, because of . his personal habits and conduct. It was asserted that ho had failed to obey an order for the maintenance of his wife and children. for which ho had been brought before the Court on three occasionsj.and sentencedi in open Court to a term of imprisonment with hard labour, ono of .which sentences had-been carried into effect. Further, it was alleged that he had. been adjudged the father of an illegitimate child, a daughter of ono of two sisters with whom, it was alleged, he had lived in .a stato of adultery. Owing to- the drunkenness of ono of the sisters'referred to,'the child had been committed to the Receiving Home. Respondent, it was further alleged, was now- living with the other sister, and was the father of another illegitimate child,? Baillie's habits, the Law Society -held, together with his associations and mode of living,, wore disreputable and scandalous, and tended 'to bring [disgrace upon the profession of the law. j The police affidavits were to, tho effect that Baillie associated.chiefly With Maoris and low-class Europeans, and that his business was largely with aboriginal Natives, and was, to.a large extent, conducted in small hotels patronised by Maoris. He . had 'no office. About 1906, according to the police affidavit, .owing to his drinking habits aud loose coniuct, Baillie and his wife became separated, their house was broken up, and be came from - Blenheim to live in Wellington.

In an:affidavit in reply, Baillie referred to a dispute as to costs over a Native land transaction. Acting on advice. ho forwarded a draft for £21 Mrs. Bridgeland, representing (so ho alleged) the amount duo to her. 'He denied having been imprispned for disof'a maintenance order, but stated that on one occasion he had been detained itt tho Terrace Gaol until ho could arrange for the arrears. He denied generally the allegations " against his*character and mode of living..''

After legal argument had teen heard, the Chief, Justice announced that tho Court would give a written decision.

ARGUMENT CONCLUDED. Argument was concluded , in the Court of Appeal yesterday ill the case of Brogan v. the Public Trustee, commenced tho previous day. Decision was reserved,.. . . '