FALSE INCOME RETURNS BY FIRM ALLEGED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22666, 17 June 1948, Page 6

FALSE INCOME RETURNS BY FIRM ALLEGED

(P.A.) WELLINGTON. June 16. The hearing of the prosecution _by the Commissioner of Taxes against George and George, Limited, a Wellington retail drapery firm, for alleged false returns of income between December, 1943, and September, 1947, was continued in the Magistrate’s Court today.

Sixteen charges alleging false returns of income are faced by the company and the directors. Eight of the charges concern Alfred Leonard Raediger George—four of these involve his capacity as a director —four are preferred against Clifford Delfray Andrew George relating to his private income, and the remaining four charges are laid against the company.

A plea of not guilty has been entered to all charges. Mr. W. R. Birks is prosecuting for the Commissioner of Taxes and Mr. W. E. Leicester is appearing for the defendants. The presiding magistrate is Mr. H. J. Thompson.

Evidence was given for the prosecution this morning by representatives of Wellington business firms concerning transactions with the defendants, and also by James Eaneas Curran, a Tax Department inspector, who made further investigations of the books, accounts and business of the defendants.

George Sydney Levick, manager of Paul’s Hardware, Limited. Wellington, gave in evidence details of purchases by George and George, Limited, in 1943 which totalled £l7. His firm did not deal direct with the public and he thought these sales were probably an indent.

To’ Mr. Leicester, witness said that George and George had been regular customers of his firm. He said it was not unusual for firms like George and George to buy where they could during the difficult years of 1942-46.

(Proceeding.)