VICTIMS LEFT STRANDED

NZ Truth, Issue 1195, 25 October 1928, Page 5

VICTIMS LEFT STRANDED

Did Law Society Know Batchelor Was Facing Disaster?

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Christchurch Representative.)

Though the mysterious disappearance df John Black Batchelor, Ihe'pelU known solicitor, from his home m Christchurch, has how almost faded into oblivion — except for those whom he left lamenting — the case should jnot be entirely forgotten until a few questions haoc been asked and answered.

worries, had no sooner appeared on the horizon for Voice than it was blown to the four winds by Batchelor. -

Voice had paid off a house at Riccarton which he sold for cash. The sum he received (£968) was paid over to Batchelor; to be paid to the vendor of another house Voice had purchased m Spreydon, but before the deal could be finalized Batchelor had absconded with the money. 0

The position In which Voice now finds himself is that his life's savings nave dissolved into thin air and m his middle age he is compelled to start all over again: ,

And Voice is hot alone m his misfortune, for many others who have been fleeced by Jsatctieior have almost parallel cases. . ;. - •/ '•' >• \

Dishonesty on the part of members of "the most honorable profession" : is becoming far too frequent. The present position demands 'some form . of security for both client . and practitioner. .'.,,'->

So far as Christchurch is concerned, the disappearance- of \ Batchelor has created, an atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion. '■■•'■ ''■*

Even the : . clients of old-established firms, not liking to .ask straight but if their business is m order, have gone