AN UNUSUAL CHARGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 146, 7 November 1912, Page 8

AN UNUSUAL CHARGE.

b,' - 1 j LAND AGENT FINED.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Tu«sday. An unusual charge was brought against F. A. Clark, land agent, before Mr. F. V. Frazer at the Police Court today. Defendant was charged that on September 20, not being a barrister of tin (■Supreme Court, he acted as conveyancer by .preparing and receiving payment for the release of a certain mortgaga -document. Mr. J. R. Reed, who Appeared for the Law Society, stated that th» society had ascertained that defendant had made out the release. It was farther aware that he had prepared the original mortgage, but, as that had been 1 drawn up over six months ago, no action would be taken. 'A- fee o£.,Q#e guinea had been charged for the preparation of the release. The society would press for a substantial, yet not vindictive, penalty. It had been aware for some time of the fact that this sort of thing had been going on among land agents, but it was difficult to get a conviction. For the defence it was said that defendant was a licensed land broker, and had served his articles as a solicitor's clerk. He was under the impression that deeds drawn upon printed forms issued by tht Government at a cost of one shilling could be filled up by any layman. There was no concealment of the offence him, and he had acted m perfectly good faith. A fine of £5 with costs was imposed.