SHARP REBUKE
Lawyer Earns Judge's Displeasure (From "N.Z, Truth's" Wellington Rep.) The troubles of James Perry Rice received further airing m the Wellington Supreme Court last week, when he applied through his counsel, Lawyer W. P. Shorland, ; for a reduction m a maintenance order m. favor of his wife. RICE, who, a year or two ago, was divorced by his wife on the ground of drunkenness and cruelty, is' now a total abstainer and has completely rehabilitated himself. He owns a small confectionery business at Newtown, but this is subject to several mortgages and is also blistered with a chattel security. Rice has had to call a meeting of creditors, for his business is not flourishing. His earnings amount to* between £2 6s. and £2 10s., out of which he had to feed and clothe himself. The maintenance order m favor of his wife and child amounted to £2 10s. It was impossible for him to pay this amount, his counsel stated. Arrears at the present time stood at £68. An offer of 80/- a week had been made to the wife's solicitors, but this had been refused. Lawyer O. C. Maz.engarb, for the wife, stated that Rice had never paid any substantial sum unless compelled to do so. He could always find the money then, but where it came from was a mystery. The premises were, valuable and could.be let for approximately £4 10s. a week. . l . "SCANDALOUS" Negotiations had been entered Into for him to do this, when Rice could have earned his living m another way. At the last minute he had backed out. Difficulty m determining the actual value of the property had been experienced, as a certain solicitor had claims upon it. He had been requested repeatedly to render an account of his claim, but had failed to do so. * In the course of his -remarks on this matter, Mr. Justice Sim declared: "It is scandalous that a solicitor of the ,court should be allowed to hold the matter up m this way. /'lf ..fie is brought here he will very quiGkly disclose the state of affairs." . While perusing some papers, his honor again remarked: "Who is it? Is It Scott?" ILiawyer Hazengarb: "That Is correct, your honor." Coutisel said he was pleased to hear his honor express himself m such a manner and would make it his business to convey his remarks to Lawyer Scott. Reverting to the business m hand, the judge remarked that it was difficult to know what to do m such a sorry business. After further discussion, his honor decided to adjourn the matter for a week or two» - .
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTR19280628.2.18
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NZ Truth, Issue 1178, 28 June 1928, Page 3
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439SHARP REBUKE NZ Truth, Issue 1178, 28 June 1928, Page 3
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