MISUSE OF TRUST MONEY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16154, 7 March 1918, Page 6

MISUSE OF TRUST MONEY.

TXYi: 11 CARGIL L SOLICITOR

CONVICTED

THREE YEARS - IMFRISOXMEXT*

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGBAM.)

INVERCARGILL, March 6

At the-Supreme Court to-day, Her* bert Alexander Mac Donald. a wellknown solicitor, was charged with the fraudulent conversion to his own uso of £1042 of trust money. He was also arraigned on two charges of fraudulently omitting to account for £114 los I'd and £153 los, received on terms requiring him to account for and pay the money to Saiu Miller and Thomas Kennedy respectively.

Accused, who conducted his own defen.e, in addressing tho Court, said that tlie moneys wore received by tho firm of Macßoiiald and Tipping (the latter is now at the front). Tipping, as a partner, was equally responsible. Accusod denied intent to defraud on the part of the firm. He thought it was hardly fair to judge him in Tipping's absence. His Honour said it did not follow thab if tho jury condemned accusod, they were condemning Tipping also. At tho end of September the position was that tho firm had only £17 17s Gd available for the payment of the £1042, and all other trust money. Tho money had been drawn out to meet the goneral expenses of the ousiness and of tho partner.

The jury found Mac Donald guilty on the iirst two charges, and not guilty ou the .third.

tie was then charged with, andplenrted guilty to, the fraudulent conversion of a further sum of £30S 9s, and wit)! the theft of £59 2s Sd.

Accused was sentenced i-n three reals' imprisonment with hard labour ou each charge, the sentences, to be concurrent.