By section 10 of an Act of Council, 13 Vict., N o. 38, passed 12th October, 1849, postage stamps were directed to be prepared and issued for the colony, and to be sold to the public. The period when this was to come into effect was lst January, 1850. By section 11 any person forging the stamps to be liable to imprisonment for such time as the court may direct, not exceeding seven years.