COMEDIAN'S INCOME-TAX

NZ Truth, Issue 1262, 6 February 1930, Page 1

COMEDIAN'S INCOME -TAX

Defaulted Once Too Often

HEAVY FINE

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Melbourne Rep.) Gus. Bluett, the popular comedian so familiar to New Zealand theatregoers, will, need all his sense of humor when .next.' he sees his solicitor, who Will tell' him, no doubt, what a 'poor sense of. humor Police Magistrate Berrimari possesses, for that gentleman "joked" at the • Bluett expense the other day to the extent of £20. , H . pUS., m his anxiety to bring mirth VJ and, laughter to thousands, quite forgot all about furnishing a.. return.for such a ■droll thing as an income. ' < 'THE FUNNY MAN , '. The department," asked him on two occasions to, stop joking \and let; it see what his "income, for 1928-1929 was, but Gus^, intent on ; his. fooling, didn't worry' until it, was too late, and so m Third City Court he was charged with failing to lodge a return. • , "That's the funny man, 1 isn't, it?" asked Mr. 'Berriman, when Augustus Bluett's name, was called. "Yes, it is," r.eplied Mr.' Virgil Gill, who appeared for Gus.; "he can't appear this morning, as he is ■ busy rehearsing." "There is no question as to his liability 'for taxing," 'said Mr. Gill," "but, as your Worship is aware, actors ai'e always travelling from' State to State and are not capable' business men. "Your Worship, of course, , is well aware of the chaotic state of the legitimate stage .at present, o;wing to the advent of the talkies, and there: are constant rehearsals for new;_pieces, which, m my client's case, delayed'the furnishing of a return." , . ■■ • : . . MATTER OF PROCXF "Are' you going to prove that? I'm not going to swallow it if you're not," broke m Mr. Berriman. , "I can prove that Bluett gave instructions to an accountant to have his return made up, and ; I saw it posted last night," replied Mr. Gill, "and Bluett has protected himself for the future by instructing this accountant that the returns ' are to be made up when necessary." "Fined £30," said Mr. Berriman; ' but, after a further plea by Mr. Gill, he relented and reduced the fine to £20, so Gus: will now have a chance to "iaff that off." ; ..,-•' i-. -,■ iiiiiiiiiHiuiniiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiimiiiia