STRUCK OFF THE ROLL

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 75, 30 March 1933, Page 7

STRUCK OFF THE ROLL

.YOUNG AUCKLAND

SOLICITOR

An order to strike the name of Thomas Henry Wood, barrister and solicitor, of Auckland, off the roll was made by the Court of Appeal yesterday afternoon.

_ Cciinsel for the New Zealand Law Society (Jlr. H. J. Thompson) said that Wood joined the firm of W. R. Tuck as a clerk in 1921. In 1924 he passed the Master of Laws examination with first; class honours and was admitted to partnership by Mr. Tuck. In 1028 he w awarded a travelling la»- scholarship, and lie returned tp Kew Zealand in 1931. At the end of 1932 Mr. Tuck had his suspicions aroused, and he took over the books, of the firm. He found that defalcations had occurred in August, September, October, November, and December of that year. From September to December the thefts had consisted of money for which Wood was supposed to account. In August he had drawn a cheque for £31 6s 9d against the trust account of a client. No harm was suffered by any client of the firm's, the defalcations having been met by Mr. Tuck, who was reimbursed when Wood assigned to him his share of the partnership. . Mr. Hs' H. Cornish, who appeared for the defendant, said that Wood, ab shown by his affidavit, realised that his action was indefensible, and he had only asked counsel to appear out of respect "to tho Court. Wood, who was 2S years of age, had had a brilliant academic career, and the only question was whether any less drastic punishment than striking his name off the roll could be imposed. Wood had since started business, and his attitude now showed some dignity and character. Counsel suggested with repect that a period of suspension would meet the case, providing that at the end of that time Wood showed that he had reformed in his habits.

After conferring with his colleagues on tie Bench, the Chief Justice said that t.icvc was no question but to strike the defendant's name off both .rolls and to order that there should be no application for reinstatement for at least five years. "Of course, that docs not say that he will be readmitted at the- end o"f that time," concluded his Honour. Costs amounting ■to 15 guineas were allowed. ■ " «