LABOR LEADER’S CHARGES.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1924, Page 1

LABOR LEADER’S CHARGES.

ALLEGATIONS DTSPROA'ED. ATTORNEY GENERAL’S FINDINGS. [UY TKLKOUAI'R —I’Klt I'IIIXSS ASSOCIATION.] AY ELLINGTON. Dee. 5. The Attorney-General has investigated the charges made in the House by Air 11. Holland (Leatier of the Labour Party), against Air AYilson. the Crown Solicitor at AYostpart and finds not only are they not .substantiated but have been disproved. The Charges against Air AYilson were four in number, J. That as trustee in the estate of Barnard Aletigliini. lie abused his position by lending trust money to himself, ami in other ways. This statement is condemned as incorrect in almost every particular. Air AYilson was never a trustee, and though he owed Mengliini money, the amount was reduced and finally paid off. 2. —That one, Seaton, was charged for work, never done. The Attorney-General can find no evidence of misconduct. 3. That AYilson (barged £7l costs in procuring a claim for compensation for £lO5. Tile answer to this is that C7l included the costs in four other eases, on behalf of the. same client, and the total charge was reduced to £lB ILs 9d. The Attorney-General finds the charge a fair one. J. A charge of misconduct in administering the affairs of one. Abbott The Public Trustee took over Abbott's affairs and made an enquiry, resulting in his reporting that there was no. tiling amiss in AA'ilson's dealings. All the moneys were accounted for, and Abbott seemed to have done very well out of it.

There was also a charge that AA'ilson allowed Abbott to he sentenced to imprisonment for having no visible means of support, when lie had large funds of Abbott's in hand. The Public Trustee says AA’ilson had no moneys, and was not Abbott's counsel. and Abbott pleaded guilty for reasons of his own. connected with another charge against him.