Page:Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management.djvu/2207

Rh otherwise specifically charged with any duty, whether it be evidence only of a contract or obligatory upon the parties from its being a written instrument—6d.

Exemptions.—Agreements or memoranda: (1) for the hire of any labourer, artificer, manufacturer or menial servant; (2) for, or relating to, the sale of any goods, wares, or merchandise; (3) of which the subject matter is not of the value of £5.

The duty may be denoted by an adhesive stamp.

Such documents cannot be stamped after fourteen days from their first execution except on payment of a penalty.

Where an offer is made in writing, which is either accepted verbally or is acted upon without any actual statement of intention to accept it, the offer need not be stamped, as it is not, in itself, an agreement. If an agreement is comprised in two or more documents, such as a separate offer and acceptance, it is sufficient if one of them be duly stamped.

Bill of Exchange, payable on demand or at sight or on presentation, or within three days after date or sight,—1d.

The commonest form of a "bill of exchange payable on demand" is a cheque; but the term also includes an order for the payment of a sum of money upon any condition or contingency which may or may not be performed or happen, and an order for the payment of any sum of money weekly, or at any other stated periods.

The duty may be denoted by an adhesive stamp, which is to be cancelled person who signs the bill before he delivers it out of his hands, custody, or power. If such bill be presented for payment unstamped the person to whom it is presented may affix and cancel the necessary stamp and charge it to the person who drew the bill. Though the bill will be valid the person who drew it will be none the less liable to the penalty for issuing it unstamped.

Bill of exchange of any other kind than that specified above, and a Promissory note of any kind whatever.

Where the amount for which the bill or note is drawn or made—

A "bill of exchange" includes a draft, order, letter of credit and any document or writing entitling any person, whether named therein or not, to payment by any other person of (or to draw upon any other person for) any sum of money "A promissory note" includes any document or writing containing a promise to pay a sum of money. Bills of exchange (other than those payable on demand) and promissory notes must be written on paper bearing an impressed stamp; consequently such documents are incapable of being stamped after execution. Forms may be obtained from Somerset House or a local stamp office.

Any person who issues, endorses, transfers or negotiates, presents for payment, or pays any bill of exchange or promissory note which is liable to not properly stamped, will incur a penalty of £5; and the person who takes or receives from any other person any such bill or note will not be entitled to recover thereon or to make the same available for any purpose whatever.

Conveyance or transfer on sale (of any property other than Bank of England Colonial Stock):—