THE SHAW CASE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 19898, 16 September 1913, Page 4

THE SHAW CASE.

TLMARU SOLICITOR'S DOWNFALL. A PAINFUL CASE. ACCUSED SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS. (Per Press Association.) TIMARU, Sept. 15. At the Supreme Court, Shaw the solicitor who was brought to trial for the misappropriation of trust funds, pleaded guilty to ail the charges and was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. In the Shaw case, Mr Solomon, K.C., of Dunedin. appeared for the accused. He stated that he was bound to admit the charges, arid that he had placed under suspicion a profession which ciould not be too jealously guarded. Shaw was 36 years, of age, bad been in Timaru from boyhood, had a most promising career and was held in the highest esteem. People readily placed money in his care on deposit. He became connected with one Trevurza, a land speculator, and Shaw lent him deposited money to finance speculations. Getting funds easily, Trevuraa speculated largely and carried Shaw off his feet. He had to pay interest to his creditors while getting nothing from- Trevurza. Trevurza bought properties which brought in nothing and were unrealizable. Pressed by his clients for their money, Shaw sold 'the properties ia.t much less than he gave for them, and in ten or eighteen months he was in difficulties, but hoping to recover by good realisations which did.not eventuate, and then he began using trust monies to take him over his immediate difficulties. His affairs became inextricably confused, and his mind also, so that he could not do what he should have done, namely, called his creditors together. Literally, he robbed Peter to pay Paul, but did not always ptay. Paul. It was in his favour that he/ stayed to face his disgrace and take the punishment. Apart from his speculations he had lived a clean life. For the sake of Shaw's girl-wife and infant child, Mr Solomon asked for the fullest possible measure of leniency. In reply to his Honour, Mr Whij^e, Crown Prosecutor, said that Shaw's crime would mean absolute ruin to some of iiis clients. There were dozens of other cases besides the £6700 referred to in the charges. The embezzlements took place very shortly after his connection with Trovurza. The case of false pretences was v- sale of property that did not belong to him.

His Honour said it wiajs a very painful case but also a very "serious offence. After mqkjing everyl allowance for accused's 'iack of. business ability, and considering that his career os a solicitor had been ruined, he must sentence him to three years' imprisonment.