Page 3 Advertisements Column 1

Marlborough Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1249, 19 November 1880, Page 3

Agnes Weir, wife of John Weir, of Morrington, Otago, took poison on Friday last. Her husband who has been earning very little for some time past, contemplated going up country, and for this purpose had purchased a pack horse and saddle. Mrs Weir was adverse to his leaving, and this, in conjunction with family matters, led her to commit the rash act. She was taken to the hospital, where she died The first action in the colony for default in sending in property tax returns, was heard and decided in the R M. Court, Wellington, on Tuesday, Mr Crease being the victim. The department consented to forego costs, and to press only for the minimum penalty of £5. which, with an order for the payment of quadruple duty, the Bench bad no option but to impose. The derision given is calculated to have great effect upon those who have neglected to comply with the law, but it is stated that the returns have been furnished by nearly all from whom they could be expected, and that only a very small proportion of those taxable have omitted tbe necessary formality, which they are now likely to perform on seeing that an action once begun cannot be withdrawn, and that the offence being proved the Bench has no option in awarding the penalty. Even an abettor in the omission is liable to a penalty of £SO, and the penalty of quadruple duty and a fine of from £5 to £IOO is applicable to those who send an incorrect return, as well as to those who send non® at all.