FALSE RETURNS OF INCOME

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22065, 11 September 1941, Page 8

FALSE RETURNS OF INCOME

BUSINESSMAN FINED (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH. Sept. 10. Charges of wilfully making false returns of income for the years '939 and 1940, which, it was alleged, involved a discrepancy in income of £3OBO, were faced by Albert John Tutton, of Rangiora. who appeared before Mr A. A. McLachlan, S.M.. m the Magistrate's Court this morning. Tutton pleaded not guilty. Mr A. W. Brown prosecuted. Tutton was in ' business in Rangiora and was interested in several companies and a flourmilling concern, said Mr Brown. In January inspectors began an examination of his accounts, and considerable discrepancies were found. Statements returned by Tutton from 1936 to 1940 showed an income of £1452/15/-, whereas his actual income had been £4505 in that period. This represented a discrepancy of £BB3 8 - in taxation. “It is not exactly for me to decide whether the matter has been wilful or merely negligent,” said the Magistrate, after hearing the evidence. “If negligent, it was very negligent, because the defendant set himself up as capable to balance books over a number of years. He is in too. many tilings for a man who is not competent.” The Magistrate dismissed the charges of wilfully making false returns. Mr J. T. Watts, for Tutton, said that the defendant was willing to plead guilty to the alternative charges of nealigence.

Tutton was fined £2O and costs on one charge, and ordered to pay casts on the other.