N.Z. TELEGRAMS.

Wairarapa Age, 25 March 1920, Page 5

N.Z. TELEGRAMS.

Land Agent's License.

INTERESTING WELLINGTON CASE.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Night.

At tho Magistrate's Court to-day an application made by Alfred Avery on behalf of Craddock's Agency Co., Ltd., for the renewal of n land agent's license, was opposed by the Land Agents' Association, on the ground that the applicant was a habitual non-payer of debts, and that during the past seven or eight years sixty or seventy summonses had been served on him from various sources.

Counsel for the applicant held that bocause some of his creditors had used the Court to recover debts owing by applicant it was no reason why the license should be refused and applicant debarred from earning a livelihood. Mr. Avery had always paid 20s in the £, and to-day was perfectly solvent. The necessary bond had. been given, and applicant's suitability to hold the license was testified to. No objection had been raised in the past, and if the license were withheld it would result in a loss to the shareholders in the Company. Counsel submitted that no reasonable ground had been brought forward to challenge/ the issue of a license.

Tho Magistrate said thst the primary duty of the Court in such cases was to protect the public. While a person might be a fit man to hold a license, the Court had to consider the question of his finances, as an agent in poor financial circumstances was open to temptation. There was nothing in the present case against the character of the applicant, but ithad been shown that he had been sued for various accounts, and at the present time was owing a of £75 on a land transaction. In view of these circumstances, he could not see his way ,to grant the application, which was accordingly refused..