PASSAGE IN THE BOWRON CASES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 922, 15 September 1910, Page 4

PASSAGE IN THE BOWRON CASES.

. AND A WARM ONE. IBy Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Christchurch, September U. During the hearing of the second case' against Bowron Bros, yesterday the Hon. G. J. Smith remarked, while under'crossexamination by Mr. Stringer, K.C,. ; "I don't suppose that:SO per 'cent, of'the people who make income tax returns make them correctly." ;Mr. Stringer - said thut ho could not admit anything: of that kind, i "Was your return a. correct one?' queried' Mr. Smith';. •'-'.-;.. ■ " "Absolutely correct,", said Mr. Stringor. "I am sure it was not, and I'll prove it," rejoined Mr.' Smith'hotly. . ; ' ■' The magistrate intervened and restored; peace at this stage. > ' ■ ,-•'.■ •■-,.. To-day, during the third case, '.Mr.Stringer, referred-to Mr.: Smith's remark of the previous day. "You made what-J. considered an impertinent, and certainly an irrelevant remark yesterday about my business," he said. '"Will you be good enough to; tell me where you got your iniormation?" ... Witness: No, I won't teli' you. • Mr. Stringer: Did you 'mean"to infer that the returns from my firm were in-' correct? ■ ; .-'■■•■ -... Witness: I was referring to solicitors generally. I am told that they do not show their bad:debts. ■•-•''■ ■ : ~- ;" Mr. Stringer: Your remark conveyed the impression that you had been prying into myprivate affairs.. You have/no right to refer'-to my affairs," nor to ; give your views on'the practice of solicitors generally. ■-' ■:.• / .•::■'■• \ .-.;.. ■■-. Witness:. May I ask: you a question now? ■.'."".•■.-.•,.:.'■ Mr. Stringer: I am.not under examina-; tiOU. .' . ' ... .., .-;;/ . '• Witness: Youhave been getting at' me fairly freely during these proceedings. : The .magistrate: Will you proceed, Mr. Stringer? I agree,with you'that;there was no necessity : to refer to your'private affairs... -. .'