De Mortuis Nil Nisi Bona Part 11

Within a week of the funeral the famous Soworthy Sow died in giving birth to a fine litter of ten little pigs, two of which unfortunately pre-deceased their Mother. The result of this event had been awaited before sending the Sow to Mr. Wackenbath, who was thus deprived of this mark of the deceased gentleman's affection. The value of the Sow alive had been 50, but dead she was not worth more than 3 10s. 0d., while the litter, whose father was the same Berkshire Boar that had been the unwitting cause of Mr. Soworthy's death, were worth 2 a-piece.

Prepare the Estate Duty Account, the affidavit being brought in on the 31st March, 1914. Show the amount of duty and interest payable.

PROBLEM No. 33.

Referring to the preceding Problem, all bequests were left free of duty and the residue of the estate was left in equal shares to Mr. Soworthy's grand-daughter, his brother, and his adopted son.

The India Stock was sold on the 25th March, 1914, at 77; the Shares in the Improved Pork Pie Factory, Ltd., realised 24/- per share net on the 25th May, 1914, after receipt on the 1st May of a Final Dividend of 1/- per Share paid in respect of the year ending 31st March, 1914, an interim dividend of 6d. per share having been received by Mr. Soworthy prior to his decease.

The Mortgage on "Little Watchem" Farm was called in and paid off on the 30th June, 1914, while "The Piggeries" was directed to be sold and realised 14,500 after payment of all expenses, completion being made on 31st May.

The household goods and implements of husbandry were sold at the same time and produced 3,000 and 120 respectively.

The Policy money with bonus was received on February 25th and the proceeds of the sale of pigs on March 5th, while the income from the Real Estate was received on February 10th.

Estate and Legacy Duties were paid on March 31st, and the debts, funeral expenses and legacies were also paid on the same date. Executorship expenses amounting to 250 were paid on June 14th.

On the last day of each month such portion of the cash balance as was available in round thousands was placed on deposit at 3%.

Prepare Residuary Account as at June 30th, 1914, and state the duties payable on the Residue.

PROBLEM No. 34.

Referring to the two preceding Problems, prepare an Account to be rendered by the Executors to the Residuary Beneficiaries, showing the realisation and distribution of the Estate, the final payment to the Residuary Beneficiaries taking place on July 1st, 1914.

PROBLEM No. 35.

To anyone not in the secret, the conduct of Mr. Pipkin would appear inexplicable, for on March 3rd, 1914, he very deliberately entered a Tobacconist's shop, ordered a threepenny cigar, and afterwards resigned his position as a.s.sistant Book-keeper in Messrs. Macfarlane's Grocery Establishment.

The secret, however, lay in the fact that Mrs. Pipkin had come into money, and Mr. Pipkin very naturally felt himself independent of other people and yearned for the ease and comfort appertaining to the position of a retired gentleman of means.

Mrs. Pipkin's fortune consisted of a life interest in the Property left by Mr. Austen Friars, who died on the 28th February, 1914.

This property was represented by the following a.s.sets:--

2,000 3-1/2% Hongkong Stock, interest payable half-yearly, on the 1st April and 1st October.

200 Shares of 5 each (2 10s. 0d. called up and paid) in the Commercial Banking Co., Ltd.

Freehold House bringing in 80 a year, payable quarterly, on the usual Quarter Days. This house was a.s.sessed at 67, and the Income Tax was paid by the Tenant on the 5th January, 1914.

750 1 Shares, fully paid, in the Perpetual Rays Co., Ltd.

April, 1914, was the very happiest month in Mr. Pipkin's whole life, and he spent most of his time smoking his pipe in his back garden, or improving his mind by contemplating the educative pictures of the local Cinema.

The months of May and June, however, did not prove quite so pleasant, and by the middle of July Mr. Pipkin actually threatened Mrs. Pipkin that unless she kept the baby quiet he would look out for another job.

And then August came round which proved to be the most miserable month of Mr. Pipkin's whole life, for Mrs. Pipkin was suddenly taken ill after consuming a liberal portion of Tinned Salmon. Never before did he realise how much he loved his Wife or what a blow to his heart her death would be. He never left her bedside and he spared no expense, but, in spite of all, Mrs. Pipkin pa.s.sed away on the 19th August, 1914.

It would be idle to attempt to depict Mr. Pipkin's feelings; it is enough to say that he became a poorer but a wiser man.

On the 3rd April, 1914, a dividend for the year ending 31st January, 1914, at the rate of 7-1/2% was declared on the 200 shares in the Commercial Banking Co., Ltd., and a similar dividend was declared on the 4th April, 1915, in respect of the year ending 31st January, 1915.

On the 19th August, 1914, a final dividend at the rate of 15% per annum, free of tax, was declared on the 750 Shares in the Perpetual Rays Co., Ltd., for the half year ending 30th June, 1914. An interim dividend had been received on the 31st January, 1914, in respect of the half year ending 31st December, 1913, at the rate of 10% per annum, free of tax.

No interim dividend was paid during the Company's year ending 30th June, 1915; but on the 31st July, 1915, a dividend at the rate of 10%, free of tax, was declared in respect of the year ending 30th June, 1915.

Show the exact amount payable to Mrs. Pipkin and her Estate in respect of her life interest under the Will of Mr. Austen Friars.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Two Sons, who, if the truth was told, Drank much more than they ought'er."]

PROBLEM No. 36.

On Lady Day the death occurred Of Hubert Henry Huckett, Who fell beneath a brewers' dray And promptly kicked the bucket.

He left a very charming Wife, And one enchanting Daughter, Two Sons, who, if the truth was told, Drank much more than they ought'er.

His Will was proved and it was found He'd left as weird collection Of Stocks and Shares as e'er was known Within man's recollection.

He'd () 60 Bags and 40 Coils 100 Common Can. Pacs., And () 40 Berthas, 60 Lions And 42 Brazil Tracs.

He'd 80 Knackers, 20 Breads And just () 400 Saras, () 1,000 Middies, 20 Tanks, And () 57 Claras.

200 Chinas () 90 Megs, 10 Virgins () 40 Doras, () 1,000 Vestas, Matches 10, 12 Bones and () 80 Noras,

The Cash at Bank was 80, The Cash in House was seven, The Furniture was valued at Four hundred pounds eleven.