87. Periodical stock-taking and levy of duty on excess deficiency.
(1)An account shall be taken by the Collector of the stock of the spirit in the distillery or warehouse at such intervals, not being greater than three months, and in such manner as the Excise Commissioner may direct; and the contractor, distiller or licensee, as the case may be, shall pay to the administration duty at the rat imposed under Section 27 of the Act on spirit manufactured, imported or transported, as the case may be, on all spirit which may not be forthcoming and for which he shall be unable to account to the satisfaction of the Excise Commissioner in excess of a wastage allowance of 1½ per cent with an additional allowance of 2 per cent on the proof quantity of spirit removed for bottling in a bonded warehouse.(2)Wastage for the purpose of duty to be calculated annually but explanation to be called for immediately after stock-taking. - Wastage for the purpose of collection of duty on the excess as aforesaid shall be calculated annually, that is, at the end of the year for which the licence is in force, but the contractor, distiller or licensee shall be called upon to explain any excess wastage and to adduce any evidence which he may desire to adduce in support of his explanation immediately after each occasion on which stock has been taken, and if it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Excise Commissioner or of such officer as he may specify, that such deficiency in excess of 1½ per cent has been caused by accident or other unavoidable cause, the payment of duty at the above rate of such deficiency shall not be required.
