en mistaken. Much the same
thing happened in connection with the current six cents United States
stamps at an office on the Pacific Coast (San Pedro). Some of these
stamps were found in a distinct brown shade almost exactly matching that
of the 4c value and though some local collectors had dreams of a rare
error of color it was easily proved that they were simply oxidised.

_Reference List._

1875-89. Engraved and printed by the British American Bank
Note Co., Montreal or Ottawa. No wmk. Perf. 12.

104. 2c vermilion, Scott's Nos. 151 or 152.
105. 5c green, Scott's No. 153.
106. 8c blue, Scott's No. 154.

CHAPTER XXX.

_The Postage Due Stamps._

Like most other countries Canada managed to collect the postage due on
insufficiently prepaid mail matter for many years without the use of
special stamps for the purpose. About 1906 it dawned on the Post Office
Department that the use of special stamps would simplify matters and
place the collection of monies due on a more systematic basis.
Consequently a circular was issued to postmasters, under date of June
1st, 1906, advising them that postage due stamps would be issued and
must, for the future, be used in collecting insufficient postage. The
salient points from this circular are given by Mr. Howes as follows:--

Commencing on the 1st July, 1906, the present system of collecting
unpaid postage will be discontinued and thereafter the following
arrangements will supersede the regulations now in force:--

(1) The Department will issue a special stamp which will be known
as the "POSTAGE DUE" stamp and on delivery of any article of mail
matter on which unpaid or additional postage is to be collected the
Postmaster will affix and cancel as ordinary stamps are cancelled,
postage due stamps to the amount of the extra postage charged on
such article.

(2) The short paid postage must be collected from the addressee
before postage due stamps are affixed; otherwise the Postmaster is
liable to lose the amount of such postage.

(3) Postmasters will obtain postage due stamps on requisition to
the Department but the initial supply will be furnished without
requisition, so that the new system may go into operation on the
date above mentioned. When a new form is ordered "postage due"
stamps will be included in the printed list, but it is proposed to
use