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EVADING THE INCOME TAX IN AUSTRALIA, A case that might be of more than passing interest to others in a similar position came before the Prahran Court in Melbourne, when Thomas E. Smith, described as a tailor, bookmaker, bettor and nice horse owner, was charged with having made false income tax returns for the year 1310, 1011 and 1012. W. M. Desmond, income tax assessor, produced correspondence and detailed conversations lie had with defendant iu regard to his incomes, but counsel for the defendant objected to the evidence of this witness, on the ground that he was pledged to secrecy except for the purposes of the Act. The objection, however, was overruled by the bench, who claimed that the purposes of the Act were responsible for the hearing of the case. Continuing. Mr. Desmond read numerous documents and quoted a lot of figures. Counsel for the defense contended that thera had been no concealment, though defendant was under the impression that he was not taxable for money wen on a race course. Mr. Morrison, P. M., said that because a man was a tailor it would le an insult to ones intelligence to say that his earnings on a race course should not be included iu his income, and fined defendant 25," with costs, in each of the three charges; whilst he was also ordered to pay double tax for each of the three years mentioned. Defendants solicitor announced his intention of appealing against the decision. Sydney Referee.
