PETROL REBATE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 237, 27 May 1932, Page 6

PETROL REBATE

REPOROA FARMER BEFORE COURT FOR FALSE RETURN NO DELIBERATE INTENTION A plea of not guilty was entered by Henry Lewis Alexander, a Reporoa settler, who was charged in the Taupo Magistrate's Court yesterday mornlng with making a false declaration in respeet of a refund under Section 8 of the Motor Spirits Taxation Act. Evidence was given by the police that Alexander had applied for the 6d per gallon rebate on 115 gallons of spirit, and had certified for a refund of £2 17s 6d on that account and Constable Brown produced a statement taken from the defendant in which he admitted that he had procured three drums of benzine, and had applied for a rebate on that amount. Alexander had admitted however, that he had used two of these drums for his private ear, and . one' for an engine used in connection with the farm. Actually he had used only 281 gallons of spirit although he had applied for a rebate on the whole three drums. 132 Gallon Lots The defendant in evidence told his counsel, Mr. Roe, that he had been farming at Reporoa for over 12 years. He had put in a return showing 112 gallons used on the farm engine and this was correct. He purchased his benzine in 132 gallon lots made up of three 44 gallon drums. Actually he had purchased three of thes lots or 396 gallons d'uring the period. The Magistrate; I don't want to hear any more; you have made a de- • claration stating that you used 115 gallons, now you say you used 396 gallons. The defendant said that he did not consider it was necessary to state this. He had merely set out the amount used, not the amount purfchased. In reply to the Magistrate, the defendant admitted that he had made several errors on making his applicatiion for a rebate. His Worship said that he would exonerate him from any intention to'defraud but would impress upon him the necessity of filling in the returns accurately and defendant would be convicted and ordered to pay costs amounting to £1 15s.