£28,898 TAX FRAUDS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5231, 25 January 1928, Page 2

£28,898 TAX FRAUDS.

SELF-MADE CLOTHIER’S GREED. SENTENCE OF SEVEN MONTHS. "If I .could give my lifq to undo the wrong 1 would willingly do it.” This statement was made, by George William Atkinson at Leeds Assizes before being sentenced to seven months in the second division for extensive frauds on the revenue. Atkinson, who is 64,' is proprietor of. the,- firm of Atkinsons, wholesale clothiers , of New Park Street, Leeds, and pleaded guilty to the charge. It was stated that by omitting sales from his books and entering fictitious purchases between 1919 and 1922 Atkinson had understated las profits by £32,429.

As a result of <his methods income tax, super tax, and excess profits duty had been underpaid to the extent of £28,898. Atkinson, at first denied that his books were, inaccurate, '.mt a few days later made admissions. He then stated that he had put the money in Bank of England notes in sealed packets and had deposited them with his bank. £20,000 IN NOTES. These notes, to the amount of £20,00'0, were found in packages at’the bank as described. Atkins'm stating that he had not touched a penny of it, and that it had preyed on his mind. The money had since been fully paid-

Atkinson presented a very dejected appearance in the dock. Mr Frankland, defending, said Atkinson was a self-made man who, when starting business 40 years ago with his wife, possessed only .two seyvfng machines. To-day the firm employed 300 hands. In 1919 Atkinson suddenly found himself prosperous, a fact which tempted him, and he- fell. A large sum of money came into his. hands following a deal ini blanket cloth, which was purchased after the war by-the, American Relief Fund for Russia:

Mr Justice Roche: "Greed and avarice overcame .him.” Mr Frankland said the whole conduct of the business, was in Atkinson’s hands, and the fortunes of. his many workmen might be; affected by his punishment. Mr Justice Roche : “If I have to send a poor, miserable mail to gaol for stealing £5, £lO, or £2O I ought not to make an exception in the case of am an who tries to steal £20,000,”’

Mr Justice, Roche said that it was an extraordinary fact that while fathers and sons gave their lives cheerfully during the war a, man like this would not pay his share in tlie costs of the war.