South Canterbury News Man Fined For Failing To Make Tax Returns

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29250, 7 July 1960, Page 15

South Canterbury News Man Fined For Failing To Make Tax Returns

For failing to make tax returns for the years 1957 to 1959 Harry Smith, aged 69. a storekeeper, of Morven, was fined £2 on each charge, and ordered to pay solicitors fees, when he appeared before Mr N. M. Izard. S.M.. in the Magistrate’s Court at Waimate. Mr M. C. Gresson, for the Commissioner of Inland Revenue, said Smith had been interviewed by an officer of the department last December, and had promised to submit the returns early in the New Year.

For Smith, Mr J. Macfarlane said there was no excuse for failing to make the returns. On Smith’s last visit to the department he had paid £4B on an assessment when it appeared as though he should not have paid anything. The Magistrate mentioned the possibility of a tax refund. MAGISTRATE REVIEWS FINE A rehearing on the question of sentence was granted Neville Francis Merriman, who was convicted at the June sitting of driving without due care and' attention and was fined £5. His driving licence was cancelled for one monihr.

Defendant, aged 17. had been driving a vehicle to which he was unaccustomed, and the offence had been one of inattention, said Mr S. Raymond. The Magistrate said the conviction and fine would stand, but the driving of a light van during the hours of his employment would be omitted from defendant’s order of suspension. Subject to this, the driving licence would be suspended for one month from July 5, and endorsement made of licences issued during the next three years. “MISTAKEN IDENTITY’’

Dismissing a charge against David John Lory of driving in a dangerous manner, the Magistrate said he was satisfied there had been a case of mistaken identity. Sergeant E. W. F. Simpson prosecuted and Mr J. A. Macfarlane appeared for defendant. DAMAGED TURF

On a charge of wilfully damaging the turf at Victoria Park. Russell William Harvey was fined £5, and costs.

“The Court takes a serious view af these offences,” the Magistrate said. “If there is much more of this behaviour, a heavier penalty will be imposed.”

DROVE UNDER INFLUENCE OF DRJNK OR DRUG Stanley Raymond Depree. of Pages road. Timaru, was fined £25 ahd his licence was cancelled for 10 years for driving while under the influence of drink or drug. Sergeant E. W. F. Simpson said the accused had been apprehended at Manchester Park where he had got into difficulties with his car and was a nuisance to persons attending sports in the area. He was a married man and had been before the Court isomea-years ago on a similar charge.

Accused had come to lyaimate with members of a football team. He had not felt well and had had a brandy or two. He was fit to drive. a car but suffered with sinus trouble and had been warned by his doctor that he should hot drink, said Mr O Stevens. “It is possible that the drug did have some effect,” he added. Accused had a contract to -deliver 1285 newspapers each dajand if his licence was taken “there would be chaos for quite some time.” said Mr Stevens. The Magistrate said he felt he must impose, the statutory cancellation of the accused’s driving licence, but would postpone effectiveness until August 5 to allow alternative arrangements for the paper delivery. TRAFFIC CASES Fines imposed for traffic offences (with costs £1 10s in each case) were:— \ Over-parking: William Clifford

Brown. £1; Robert Gray Hassell Henderson, £l. No tail lights: David John Chapman. 10s: Frank Boys. 10s (no headlight. £1 10s). Exceeding 40 miles an hour with a pillion passenger: Ralph Ernest Penno. £4. Insufficient brakes on his vehicle: Douglas Henry Wilson. £3, costs £1 10s For following too close behind another vehicle and being unable to stop. Wilson was fined £3. costs £1 10s. witnesses's exipenses £2 Us. An order was made for his driving licence to be suspended tor one month, and endorsed accordingly.