DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 October 1917, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

MASTERTON SOLICITOR'S CASE. By Association. Wellington, Oct. 29. In the Appeal Court, Mr. Gray, K.C., opening the defence for Beard, submitted that until this charge his client had borne an honored name and, while admitting that he had acquired an interest in Kerehoma'a land, the court must find some deliberate fraud on his part to bring him under its jurisdiction. Much of the evidence given was against Chen* hells and not against Beard. He contended that, outside the formal affidavits, those making them were either interested or seeking to justify their own acts. He also pointed out that Kerehoma had not supported the Law Society's actioa. He claimed there was nothing to suggest that Beard knew Kerehoma was improvident. The power-of-attorney prepared by Beard was necessary, as Kerehoma was living in Hawke's Bay.

Wellington, Later. j Continuing, Mr. Gray said Beard had acted occasionally as Eangi Kerehoma's solicitor, and knew Chennels was Rangi's agent and banker, but Beard had not acted generally for either Bangi or Chennels, and had insisted that Bangi should be separately advised before completing ''the land transactions. Mr. Gray dealt in detail with mortgage transactions, contending that these showed Bangi had lost nothing, and Beard had gained nothing. .The fact that Beard and Chennels had settled the action brought by Rang! was not an admission by Beard of any •thing fraudulent about the Mangahuna purchase. The action was settled because the Court of Equity would hold they were trustees for Rangi. '' The case is unfinished. A STEAMER SAILS. Auckland, Last Night. The Richardson steamer Awahou, which has been delayed a fortnight owing to no seamen being obtainable t<» replace three who left at 24 hours notice, sailed for the East Coast to-day.