USED OLD STAMPS

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1935, Page 7

USED OLD STAMPS

MAXIMUM FINE AT DUNEDIN.

FORMER OFFENCE IN 1929.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, March 13.

A fine of £2OO was imposed on William Lawrence Hooper, aged 64, Stamp dealer trading as Wilcox Smith Ltd., in the Police Court, for affixing to a parcel addressed to the United States two stamps bearing cancellation marks. He denied the charge. The only question at issue was whether it Was done fraudulently. He was last convicted of a similar charge in 1929 and was fined £2OO.

In imposing the maximum fine Mr. J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., said he would take into account the age of the accused and the fact that the last offence was six years ago, and would not impose a term of imprisonment.

The police evidence was that when interviewed Hooper admitted seeing marks on the stamps, but would not agree that they were cancellation marks. In evidence Hooper said he was absolutely satisfied that the stamps were unused. He admitted having paid fines of £4OO since 1915 and having been prosecuted nine 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.