SUBSTANTIAL FINE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 90, 14 March 1935, Page 2

SUBSTANTIAL FINE.

USE OF CANCELLED STAAIPS. Per Press Association. . . DUNEDIN, Alarch 13. A fine of £2OO was imposed on A\ illiaan Lawrence Hooper, aged 61, s st: s™P dealer trading as Wilcox Smith. Etd., i n the Police Court for affixing to a parcel addressed to the United states two stamps bearing cancellation marks. He denied the charge, Ihe only question at issue was whether it was done fraudulently. He was last convicted on a similar charge in and fined £2OO. In imposing the maximum fine. the Magistrate (Mr Bartholomew) said he would take into account the age of accused and the fact that the last offence occurred six years ago. and would not impose a term of imprisonment. ” The police evidence was that, when interviewed, accused admitted seeing marks on the stamps, but would not agree that they were cancellation marks. In evidence, accused said he was absolutely satisfied the stamps were unused. He admitted having paid fines of £4OO since 1915 and been prosecuted mne or ten times. He ascribed the markings to the possibility of the stamps being rubbed together, but the Magistrate said his explanation could not be accepted.