APPROPRIATED TRUST MONEYS

Evening Star, Issue 16676, 7 March 1918, Page 8

APPROPRIATED TRUST MONEYS

—.—» SOLICITOR GETS THREE YEARS. In connection with the trial at Invercargill of Herbert A. Macdonald, solicitor; of the conversion of trust moneys, the accused who conducted his own defence, said that moneys were received by the firm of Macdonald and Tipping. The latter was now at the front. Tipping, as partner, was equally responsible. The accused denied intention to defraud on the part of the firm. He thought it hardly fair to judce him in Tipping's absence. Mr Justice Sim pointed out that if the jury condemned the accused, they were not condemning Tipping also. At the end of September the position was that the firm had only £l7 17s 6d available for the payment 0f'£1.042, and all other trust moneys. The money had been drawn out to meet the general expense* of the business and of the partners. The jury found the accused guilty on the first two charges, and not guilty on the third.' The accused pleaded guilty to two further cliprnes involving sums of £3O 8s 9d and £59 2s Bd. A sentence of three years' hard labor nn each of the rhargc? was passed, the sentences to run concurrently.