DEALING IN STAMPS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 14741, 21 October 1915, Page 6

DEALING IN STAMPS.

(Per United Press Association.) DUMPED IN, October 20. At the Police Court, before Mr Young, S.M., William Laurence Hooper was cnarged with dealing in -stamps, being an unlicensed person. Robert Grant Anderson., formerly u postal clerk, stated ho purchased an unused stamp value £6 from the accuser receiving ordinary discount. The accused showed him other stamps which ho said he might be able to dispose of to lawyers. ' Detective-Sergeant Kemp gave evidence that he searched accused’s premises, taking possession of £2O worth of stamps, which the accused said he purchased from a man named Smith. The Wellington police also took, possession of £SO worth of stamps. Hooper said he bought .£4O worth of stamps from Smith for .£ls. The magistrate said the irregularity was committed in selling - stamps to a clerk, but he thought the transaction did not constitute dealing in- stamps. Regarding official stamps, a licensed-‘deal-er could not deal in the-se. The. section only applied to such stamps as- licensed persons were authorised, to, deal in. The information was dismissed. Hooper was then charged: with using .an official overprint • adhesive 'Stamp 1 , as posted on a packet, with intent to defraud the revenue. ! , , . .Evidence showed accused .used official stamps for th£ postage'of pritfhte correspondence. J;The prosecution contended this was . dpfraudingrthe State*.' The accused had been warned «dt to msh-tbeso stamps. An official stamp, might " be, sold for philatelic ilhii.-not: for .use. Mr Hanlon contende'dv.ttat fcbdtprosecution failed to disclose •'fraudulent intent or that defendant committed, an act of defrauding the revenue. Decision was reserved and other charges were adjourned until to-morrow.