ALLEGED CONSPIRACY

Otago Witness, Issue 3033, 1 May 1912, Page 24

ALLEGED CONSPIRACY

SYDNEY, April 23

At the trial of Brown and Macpherson to-day Brown in a lengthy statement traced the growth of the company’s Australian business from £50,000 to £200,000 a year. His expenses were very heavy, and he found it impossible to keep his private accounts free from his expenses accounts, but a record was kept of everything. His overdraft was clearly shown in the cash book’s balances. If he had been allowed to go to New York he could have explained everything. In no way had he cheated nor defrauded the company, nor had he induced anyone to do so. He declared vhat Macpherson was absolutely innocent, and that he simply carried out his instructions. Macpherson made a statement confirming the assertion that he acted only under instructions. April 24. Brown and Macpherson were found not guilty on the charge of conspiracy. Brown was discharged, but Macpherson •was remanded till Monday on a further charge of stealing £5497 of the Singer Sewing Machine Company’s moneys. MACPHERSON SENTENCED. SYDNEY, April 29. Macpherson has pleaded “ Guilty ” to a charge of.stealing £5497 from the Singer Sewing Machine Company, and has been sentenced to a year’s imprisonment. The Chief Justice remarked that he took into consideration the fact that the example set the accused in the office was not the best.