Charge Against Solicitor.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43373, 15 September 1908, Page 2

Charge Against Solicitor.

PALMERSTON NORTH CASE

Pat.mkustox, September 13. At the Supreme Court on Saturday O. E. Harden, solicitor, was charged before Mr Justice Chapman with fraudulently failing t > account for or pay t rust monies to the ainountof &250, thereby committing theft

Mr Ijoughnan, Crown prosecutor, appeared for the Crown and Mr Wilford appeared for the accused. The evidence for the prosecution was the same as given in the lower Court.

For the defence DrS. O’Brieu, Nielsnn, j and Martin gaveevideuee that the accused hid been suffering from the effects of excessive alcohol for months prior to his , ■arrest, and that he was incapable of ■ conducting bis business intelligently. j Tbe jury were absent fir two hours finally returning a verdict of not guilty, t At midnight a peculiar incident was that the proceedings were delayed for half an hour owiug to the failure of the f gas, the crowded Court being pluuged in darkness.