Three Sales: Three Lots
p. 56 · Read in the full issue
Of Stamp Duty
PROPERTY known as Kililli, in the ad ministrative district of New Ireland (New Guinea) has been sold three times in a few years, New Britain Plantations Ltd. being the last purchasers. Under the stamp duties ordinance which came into force on February 1, 1928, the Commis sioner of Stamp Duty assessed duty on each sale. The company paid the duty but appealed to the Supreme Court of New Guinea for a decision.
The court held that the Commissioner was empowered to assess duty on each of the three sales and against this de cision the company appealed to the High Court of Australia asking that duty should be charged only on the last sale, and not on the three. The High Court upheld the decision of the New Guinea Supreme Court, and dismissed the ap peal with costs.