DRAMATIC SYDNEY ARREST.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 3262, 12 October 1928, Page 6

DRAMATIC SYDNEY ARREST.

POLICE SEIZE A PLANT.

The Detectives: Hello, we want you. The Alleged Coiner: I know; I'll come quietly.

* The foregoing brief interview was the culmination of a long and tedious inquiry by Detectives Alchin and Young, who arrested an alleged coiner in Sydney recently. In addition the two detectives discovered a complete coining plant and more than 40 spurious florins-Although they were slightly deficient in weight, the coins were excellent imitations. "I think they are the best imitations I have ever seen," said Inspector Pattinson, acting chief of detectives, in commenting upon the affair. The arrested man is 68 years old, is well spoken and is an interesting personality.

The police inquiries respecting the circulation of spurious two-shilling pieces commenced more than 12 months ago, and the fraud continued to be perpetrated, reaching amazing proportions at the time of the last Royal Agricultural Show, when about 400 florins were disposed of. Since then an average of about 80 spurious coins have been placed in circulation each week. Shopkeepers, tobacconists, bus conductors and tram guards appeared to be the main victims of the fraud, and many of them were unaware that the coins were not genuine. The banks were greatly troubled by the continuance of the trouble.