DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 February 1922, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS.

CHECKING BICYCLE THEFTS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Feb. 4. Bicycle thieving, which has been very prevalent recently in Christchurch, has received a check since the Magistrates announced their intention of sending offenders to prison. In the past they were usually let off with a fine or on probation. At to-day’s sitting of the court, when the Magistrate sentenced a young man to fourteen days’ imprisonment, Chief Detective Cameron said that since offenders were being sent to gaol few cases of bicycle stealing were being reported.

A SINGULAR CASE. Wellington, Feb. 4. A singular case, presenting some ual features, is before the Supreme Court. The Nelson Law Society asked that a barrister, whose name is not published, should- be suspended from the roll of legal practitioners. Counsel explained that the society did not ask that he should be struck off. Respondent was represented by counsel, but was himself' in court. It appeared that he had been in a mental hospital, but was released in 1920 as “unrecovered.” The Public Trustee is custodian and administrator of his estate. Respondent is again in practice, but there was a complaint that he had failed to register certain securities. It was alleged that he couid not even manage his own affairs, and the question for the . court .was whether a mentally affected person was fit and proper to practice as a lawyer. On the other hand respondent’s counsel pointed out that a solicitor could only be struck off for misconduct, and mental deficiency was not misconduct. He contended that the court had no jurisdiction.