POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13456, 8 April 1907, Page 7

POLICE COURT NEWS.

BREACHES OF THE STAMP ACT. At the Police Court op Saturday, before Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., William Dodds was charged that on October 27, 1905, at Auckland, he issued a promissory note for £1, such note not being duly stamped a: required by the provisions of the Stamp Act, 1882. Defendant was further charged on six informations with committing breaches of the Stamp Act on October 27. Seven similar informations against Wm. Wallace Bruce in respect to October 20 were adjourned until Friday next. With respect to the charges against Dodds Mr. Singer, who appeared for defendant, pleaded guilty and pointed out that defendant had erred in ignorance. Mr. S. Mays, who appeared for the prosecution, stated that the maximum penalty was £50. The notes were presented to Dodds by the manager of the Wade Settlers' Co-operative Company after it had gone into liquidation so as to put the debt in liquidated form. Defendant was ignorant of the law, and had neglected to have the notes duly stamped. in this ease lie would not press for a heavy penalty, but would put more weight into the charges against Bruce, who was an accountant.

In convicting defendant of the charges His Worship said In was afraid that there was a good deal of laxity and neglect among business people with regard to the stamping of documents. Not only was this noticeable in the- stamping, but also in the failure to properly cancel stamps. Business people should be conversant with the law regarding the stamping of documents, and see that it was complied with. There had boon cases before the Court in. which the neglect had been with fraudulent inteut. However, this case did not present any such features, and the ends of justice would be met by defendant paying 53s 6d, costs of prosecution. DRUNKENNESS. One first offender was fined 5s and costs, or in default 24 hours' imprisonment, and another was fined double that amount, or in default 48 hours' imprisonment.