BOWRON BROS.

NZ Truth, Issue 282, 19 November 1910, Page 4

BOWRON BROS.

Expensive Evasions.

The dilatory Income Tax Department has laboriously produced another slab of the amount of tax evaded by the pious Christchurch firm of Bowron Bros, and G. J. Smith.,' who still' clings to his "position m the [Legislative Council m spite of the odor surrounding the evasions. This is the second amount assessed, and, Judging -by the length of time taken over the two already visible, the date of the third amount's 'appearance is as problematical as the probable future age of the moon. Smith and the Bowrons are paying pretty stiffly for their indiscretion, as the Department has assessed the amount of tax evaded by the leather merchants m 1906 at the sum of £2900 18s, but with fines, etc., it reaches the remarkable sum of £11,913 13s 9d. The particur larsr are thus :— Amount of tax evaded, £2900 18s.; 10 per cent, penalty for failing to pay at the proper time, !£290. Is 9d;; fine for making a false return, £20 ; additional fine of treble the.. amount of tax evaded, £8702 145., -.total, £11,913 18s 9d. As the amount for whioh Bowron Bros, are liable for evasions m 1905 is £9408 16s, there is a total that we know of as being due to a debt-ridden country of £21,322 9s 9d. The next evasion, particulars of which are being burrowed for by over-worked departmental officers was m 1907. The 1906 assessment was mentioned to Magistrate Bishop m the S.M.s Court the other day, m accordance with the provisions of the Income Tax Act. Thfi Bowrons and Smith had filed an objection to the assessment, but thought better of it, and were not represented m court. Lawyer T. W. Stringer, for the Department, said that the firm wished to withdraw the objection, which was accordingly dismissed. Will Smith resign ?