DISAPPEARANCE OF SOLICITOR

NZ Truth, Issue 1186, 23 August 1928, Page 9

DISAPPEARANCE OF SOLICITOR

Where Is John B. Batchelor, Well-known Christchurch Lawyer, Wanted For Alleged Theft? POLICE CONDUCTING DOMINION-WIDE SEARCH (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Christchurch Representative.) Where is John B. Batchelor, barrister and solicitor, of Christchurch, who is not only missing from his usual haunts, but is wanted fcp the police, who hold a warrant for his arrest ? The sudden departure of Batchelor from Christchurch last week created a mild sensation m the city and tongues are wagging.

A WARRANT—taken out privately— was issued for Batchelor's arrest m connection with his alleged theft of moneys entrusted to his care. The amount involved is alleged to be m the vicinity of £1000. When the warrant was issued against him last week, Batchelor had left Christchurch and had been absent about thirty-six hours when he came under the official notice of the police. There Is still no sign of him at time of writing, although detectives throughout the Dominion are on the look-out for the wanted man. Where is he? That is the question which is being asked throughout the city and the opinion is gaining ground that he has left the country. . . There is no better-known figure m the legal fraternity of Christchur6h than John B. Batchelor, whose voice could be heard almost every day m the Magistrate's Court pleading the cause of law-breakers. He had built up an extensive criminal practice m the lower court, and last year delivered his first address to a jury as a barrister. The announcement that a warrant was out for his arrest caused a shock, not only to his clientele, but to the members of the Howard League for

Bombshell Bursts

Penal Reform, of which Batchelor, up till two years ago, was an active member. And those who might have been disposed to support his candidature at the forthcoming general elections will now have to transfer their votes elsewhere, for it is a certainty that Batchelor will not go to the poll. Just what his intentions were politically seemed always somewhat obscure, but a month or two back it was announced that he would probably seek election as an Independent m one' of the Christchurch constituencies. Nothing more was heard of his intentions, however, as a political aspirant. The advent of trouble on his horizon was sudden when it did come. The day before he left Christchurch, and three days .before the warrant was issued, Batchelor appeared m the lower court as counsel 'for a man charged with theft. In asking for an adjournment, he intimated to the bench that when the case was heard there would be "startling disclosures." But when the case was proceeded with the following week, the "startling disclosures" were conspicuous by their absence, Lawyer M. J. Burns, "who nniimiiitiiniiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiitiiniiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiuiniiuiiiii iiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiii MUliiniiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiitmiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiimiiniitiHiiinniimiimiiiiiiiitmniminmmniiiinnnm

took over the case, having nothing unusual as a defence to put forward. By. this time Batchelor had long been absent from the city. The day following his appearance m court with his promise of "startling disclosures," he left for Wellington. There was nothing unusual about this, as he frequently proceeded to the North Island on business. But on the Thursday, two days after his departure, the bombshell burst m the legal camp. It was known th v at Batchelor was a "wanted" man, a warrant that day having been issued for his arrest. He was not to be found, however, although he is well known by sight to

detectives, not only m Wellington, but m Auckland — men who have met him at various times m court and outside it m his capacity as counsel. Speculation is rife at the moment as to whether he has left the country, but a perusal of the shipping list shows that no Australian vessels left these shores during the period between his departure from Christchurch and the issuing of the warrant some thirty-six hours later. It is more probable that he is somewhere m the North Island; there are many small towns m which he could move about unrecognized. Whether he will m time return voluntarily to face the music of criminal proceedings, or, failing arrest, attempt

to leave the country, remains to be seen. It is known that when he left Christchurch he was not short of ready cash. There would be no obstacle m the way of financing himself out of the country — if that were his object. But the passing of time narrows his chances of leaving the Dominion. All outgoing vessels are being closely watched, and Batchelor Is a type that would easily be recognized from a general description. Slight of build and about five feet five m height, long features, dark hair, receding well from the forehead, he is a quick walker and has a slight stoop from the, shoulders. ' He usually wears a dark suit, generally blue serge, and a wing- collar. His voice is soft and rather deeptoned, and when engaged m conversation he has a habit of • lowering his voice as though imparting a confidence. He has a ready smile and a trick of lowering his eyes m a side-long glance when smiling. Plenty of assurance, he is fond of company and is a ready talker. But his principal characteristic is his rapid walk, 'which gives the impression that he is m a break-neck hurry. This, then, is the man for whom the

Political Ambition

police are searching and whom they will ask to face a judge and jury. Batchelor is a married man with two 'young children and from all accounts he loved his home life. , Hia interests outside his profession were not numerous, but for a considerable time he was an active member of the Howard League for Penal Reform m Christchuhch, a body which has as its object the adoption of improved and specialized methods of dealing with delinquents who break the criminal laws. On more than one occasion has Batchelor discussed the League and its work with "Truth," when he always .displayed keen enthusiasm for its principles. He alsp latterly displayed political ambitions and had announced his probable intention of seeking election as an Independent, but this ambition, judging by the absence of publicity given to his aspirations, petered out. The notoriety that now attaches to him has provided the city with a nice piece of gossip, but until Batchelor has faced his trial, the mass of rumor that is floating about concerning him must be left as it is. „ He must be judged on the facts alone — and for the present we must leave him to the long arm of the law, which is groping throughout the country m search "of him. iiiiiniiiimiiiitiim»Miiiiiiimiiiiinii«iiiiiiiimimninniiitiraiiiiii«mniiiiuut«iuiiroiimiimiiimit