DEFRAUDING POSTAL DEPARTMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18802, 3 March 1923, Page 8

DEFRAUDING POSTAL DEPARTMENT.

A REMARKABLE SCHEME. , ACCUSED FINED £2OO, (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 2. A unique scheme by which the Government was deprived of revenue was described at the Magistrate’s Court to-day, when Ernest George Hughes, 44 years of age, appeared before Mr E. Page, S.M., on charges of fraudulently affixing to postal packets used stamps which had been, removed from other postage parcels or packets. The amounts of the stamps in question were 2d, Bd, 6d, sd, -■ J 4d. Chief Detective Kemp prosecuted, and the accused, who pleaded guilty, was represented by Mr W. E. Leicester. The Chief Detective said the information was laid under section 878 of the Post and Telegraph Act, 1903, under which the accused was liable to a fine of £SO on each charge. For some time past suspicion had been attached to parcels coining from Kirkcaldie and Stains, Ltd., with the result that packages coming from this firm were very carefully watched, and several of them were detained. Upon examination it was found that the stamps had been manipulated. Tho used part 7 'of the stamp had been cut off, and the enured part had boon joined to another unused pari so as to- form a complete stamp, (he joint being covered by a string round the parcel in such a manner as to defy casual detection. In two days seven parcels were detained, and the matter was placed in the hands of Detective Walsh, who interviewed the accused. The latter then admitted the whole scheme. He said ho had been for over 20 years in the employ of KirkcaWic and Stains, and for 15 years had been in charge of the country orders department. He was in receipt of a weekly salary of £5 10b, and had about £SOO in the Post Office Savings Bank. Hughes admitted to the detective that he had been in the habit of interfering with the Gamps for the past 18 months. Sometimes ho washed the marks off them, and on other occasions resorted to the method of cutting off the used portion. Twenty-five boxes, containing in nil about 6009 used stamps, were found in accused’s house, and übed stamps wore also found in his possession when he was arreMed. “The authorities,” concluded the chief detective, “look upon (these as very serious offences. There is no way of estimating how much revenue the accused has deprived tho .Mate of. The stamp bill of this firm comes to about £.IOO per month, the individual values of the stamps being from 5s to about £2.” Mr Leicester said the occurrence was a most regrettable one. Tho accused was a man in a good position, and the man had been brought to book by a small grasping habit:. ..

The Magistrtae: It is rather more Than a little grasping habit. I imifit impose a substantial fine. The opportunities were there, and, as was pointed out bv the Chief Detective, (here is no way of estimating l.ow much revenue the Slate had been deprived of. The accused will be fined £4O on eatli charge—£2oo in all.