DEALING IN STAMPS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2598, 21 October 1915, Page 7

DEALING IN STAMPS

CASE IN DUNEDIN COURT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.! Dunatlin, October 20. _At the Police Court, before Mr. Young, S.M., William Laurence Hooper was charged with dealing in stamps, being an unlicensed person. Robert Grant Anderson, formerly a postal clerk, stated that he purchased unused stamps valued at £5 from accused, receiving the ordinary discount. Accused showed him other stamps, which ho said he might be able to dispose of to lawyers. Detective-Sergeant Komp gave evidence of the search of accused's premises and taking possession of £20 worth of stamps, which accused said ho had purchased from a man named Smith in Wellington. The police also took possession of £50 worth of stamps. Hoocer said he bought £40 worth of stamps from Smith for £15. Tito Magistrate said an irregularity had been committed in soiling stamps to it clerk, but ho thought the transaction did not constitute dealing in stamps. Regarding official stamps, a licensed dealer could not deal iu theso; the section only applied to such stamps as licensed persons are authorised to deal in. 'Bio information was dismissed.

Hooper was then chargcd with using an official overprint adhesive stamp as postage on a packot with intent to defraud tho revenue. The evidence showed that the, accused used official stamps for the iKistago of private correspondence. The prosecution contended that this was defrauding the State, The accused bad been warned not to use these stamps. Official stamps might be sold for philatelic purposes, but not for iiso. Mr. Han lon contended that tho prosecution hr<l foiled to disclose fraudulent intent or that defendant committed an act defrauding tho revenue. Decision was reserved.

Othor charges were adjourned until to-morrow.