CLUB SECRETARY FINED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18693, 26 January 1923, Page 7

CLUB SECRETARY FINED

£5O INFLICTED. (Per Press Association.) GISBORNE, Jan. 24. What appears to be a harsh provision of the law was brought into effect at Te Karaka Court when Jas. Price, secretary of a football club, was fined £5O for failing to make a return of amusement tax. The club organised a concert to raise funds and the Stamp Department derived 16s 8d revenue. There is no provision in the Act for a fine of less than £5O, and this was accordingly inflicted. The local stamps officer, in conversation with a Times reporter, said Price had been out of town for some time. The club decided to hold the concert and put Price’s name on the tickets as secretary without consulting him. The first he knew of the matter was two days before the concert, when he was asked to buy a ticket. The concert was held in August and the taxing officer sent a demand for the tax. Price filled in the form, but instead of posting it to the local stamp office, he handed it in too late and had to return to the station where he was working to the president of the football club, who handed it to one of his employees, and then all trace was lost. The stamp officer wrote again to Price and the letter was not received. Price knew no more till served with the summons. The stamps officer said he took it that Price was defying the Department, and applied for permisison to prosecute, which was given. Had the officer been in pos session of all the facts it is improbable the prosecution would have taken place without giving Price further opportunity. Price’s onlycourse now was to apply to the Minister for a remission of portion of the penalty.