MARKED COINS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 193, 16 August 1941, Page 12

MARKED COINS

IN WOMAN'S BOX

COLLECTOR DENIES THEFT

Mrs. Laura Frances Martin, of Northcote, appeared on summons, before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday afternoon, charged with the theft of 14/6 belonging to the Fighting Forces Fund, on July 25. Accused, for whom Mr. A. H. Johnstone, K.C., and Mr. Butler appeared, pleaded not guilty. Detective-Sergeant P. J. Nalder, who prosecuted, said Mrs. Martin was well known in public life and had often, in the past, assisted in street collections. The charge related to a collection taken up in the city on Friday, July 25, in aid of the Fighting Forces Fund. In consequence of information received by police, Detectives E. W. Mahood snd Detective Duncan, on July 24, saw Mr. S. E. Langstone, secretarymanager of the St. John Ambulance Association, who was in charge of the street collection on the following day. It was decided to place a number of marked coins to the value of £1 in Mrs. Martin's collection box. Four half crowns, two florins, four shillings and four sixpences were marked with the letter "M" under the head on each coin by Mr. Langstone in the presence of both police officers. Under Observation The following morning Mrs. Martin was issued with a collection box No. 55. From the time Mrs. Martin began collecting near the Queen's Arcade about 9.45 a.m. until she handed in her box in the afternoon, she had been kept under constant observation by both detectives. Mr. Langstone issued the marked coins to five persons, who would give evidence that they placed them in the collection box held by Mrs Martin. Mr. Langstone also placed marked coins in her box. Both detectives saw all these persons put the money in the box. Continuing, Detective - Sergeant Nalder said Mrs. Martin collected until 11.50 a.m. when she placed her box at a street stall and was absent for 55 minutes. During the whole of this time the two detectives remained watching the box to see that no one interfered with it. When Mrs. Martin returned and resumed collecting she was again under observation. About 2 p.m. Mrs. Martin entered a cake shop opposite the main post office. When she came out the detectives saw that she was carrying a small suit case in one hand and in the other a brown paper parcel, which was the shape of a collecting box. The detectives saw that she went into the ladies' convenience at the Ferry Buildings, and she was absent quite a while. The detectives saw her emerge shortly after 4 p.m., and while still under their observation, Mrs. Martin was seen to take the collection boxout of the suitcase and leave the suitcase at the orange fountain at the corner of Customs and Queen Streets. She then went to the stall a little higher up Queen Street and handed in her box. Detective Mahood spoke to Mrs. Martin and pointed out to her that a strip of fresh paper had been pasted on the aperture of the box. Mrs. Martin explained that the sealing paper had become worn through people placing money in the box, and added that she had gone to the post office and had placed some new paper on the box. Marked Coins in Handbag "The detectives will sav that accused never went to the post office that day," added Mr. Nalder. "Accused accompanied the detectives to the office in Queen Street used by Mr. Langstone, when the collection box was opened in her presence. The box contained £2 11/03, which included only 5/6 in marked coins. Mrs. Martin agreed to show the detectives what money she had in her handbag. She had £1 15/6. Two of the coins were identified as marked coins. At first Mrs. Martin said the money was her egg money, but later she said it was social security money. Regarding the two marked coins found in her bag, Mrs. Martirr said that a man had bumped into her in the Queen's Arcade and 3/6 worth of coins had dropped out of the box and that she had picked them up and put them in her pocket. The detectives will say that she did not drop the box and that no one bumped into her. Mrs. Martin said she had kept the money to pay for her dinner and tea, remarking that a labourer is worthy of his hire." Mr. Hunt: Did you find out what was in the suitcase she left at the shop? Detective-Sergeant Nalder: In the suitcase was found a small piece of sticking paper such as would be used on a box. After detailing the marking and distribution of the £1 worth of coins placed in Mrs. Martin's box, Sidney Edward Langstone said that when the detectives brought accused to the depot at 5 o'clock, he found that the aperture of the box appeared to have been widened. A total of 14/6 of the marked coins was missing. Witness identified a half crown and a shilling found in accused's bag as two of the coins he had marked. "A Bit Eccentric" In answer to Mr. Johnstone, witness said he had known Mrs. Martin for some years, during which time she had collecteed on many occasions. He would say that she had aged a good deal during the last UVo or three years and that she was "a bit eccentric." Five witnesses deposed to placing marked coins in accused's box, while the two detectives detailed conversations with accused and the methods employed in shadowing her on July 25. Detective Duncan produced a statement which accused had made and signed.

On completion of the case for the prosecution, Mr. Johnstone intimated that he would like an opportunity of further consulting his client, whereupon the magistrate adjourned the hearing until 2.15 p.m. on Monday.