OBSTINATE WIDOW

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 June 1926, Page 5

OBSTINATE WIDOW

DEATH DUTIES DISPUTE.

(Special to “Star.”)

WELLINGTON, June 18.

There were several spirited exchanges in the Magistrate’s Court, to-day, during tlie course of the hearing of the case in which the Commissioner oi Taxes proceeded against Alice Merry, widow, for failing to render death duty accounts as required by the ‘Act “It is difficult to understand the attitude of this lady, who is well to do, not to say wealthy, but 1 am afraid the only conclusion is* that she is determined not to file the accounts in the endeavour to evade payment of several hundreds of pounds in duty,” said Mr Tudhopo, Crown Law Department, who prosecuted. Defendant was the executrix of the estate of her son, who died in the past year, continued counsel. The whole of his estate was bequeathed to the defendant and probate was granted her on April 27, 1925, so that accounts should have been filed by October 27 in that year. They have not yet been filed.

“No, and I am not going to file them,” broke in Mrs Merry. “They are not true. If I signed them I would go to gaol.” “We are aware that the estate is a pretty substantial one,” continued •counsel. “The principal asset is a two-thirds share of (the estate of the father of the deceased, who left an estate sworn at nearly £14,000, on which the son’s share would be nearly £lO,OOO. The estate succession duty on the estate, the whole of which was left to his mother, would be £l2OO. Defendant is well aware of her duty in this matter. She was written to by the Crown. Law Office before the information was laid. Matters have been carefully explained to her by the Assistant Commissioner. After one interview she paid £BOO, and promised to file accounts within a week. She has resolutely and defiantly since refused to do so.

“1 wp ll S ’B U them; that’s that,” declared Mrs Merry. “They’re not true. I’m willing to pay all the money I have to, but I refuse to sign the accounts.”

“Well, your Worship, the accounts were actually prepared and presented her for signature by a solicitor. He ;ave the matter up after trying several units to get her to sign them,” said dr Tr.dhope. The Assistant Commissioner can see' no reason why they should not be signed by Airs Merry, it is obvious that she cannot be allowed to defy the revenue authorities. If uiis prosecution is not successful, we can apply to the Supreme Court for her estate to be attached.”

“Go to the Supreme Court, if you want to,” retorted Airs Merry. “You don’t get me signing those accounts. I may as well go to gaol now as later on.”

At this stage the Alagistrate (Air Page) broke in on the dialogue : “Now, Airs Alerry, there is a duty on. you to file these accounts. in writing. I am going to adjourn this case for four weeks. I will convict you in the meantime.”

“Thank you. That’s the first time I’ve been convicted,” interpolated Airs Alerry. • “If at the end of that time you have not filed the accounts, I shall impose a, punishment for your failure,” concluded the Alagistrate. “You’d better go to your solicitor now and get his advice. That will do.”