MAKING HALF-CROWNS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 205, 5 September 1901, Page 3

MAKING HALF-CROWNS.

SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST FOUR BOYS. By Telegraph —Press Association. Invercargill, last night. At the Supreme Court at the conclusion of the hearing of the charge of coining against four youths, His Honor said that it was clear from tho evidence, and was admitted, (.that accused had made coin from a mould. The coin mado was a half-crown, but it was a question of consi lerable difficulty whether the mere making of the coin to resemble the current coin without any intent to pass it was crime or not. It seemed difficult to believe that tho more making of tho coin in that way was penal, especially as the penalty might be life imprisonment. His Honor, therefore, submitted two issues to the jury: Did the accused, or any of them make counterfeit coin (I) with intent to make it resemble the current silver coin, and (2) with intent to make it pass for the current silver coin. The jury answered the first in tho affirmative, and the latter in the negative. His Honor entered a conviction, and stated that ho would submit tho point he had mentioned to the Appeal Court, If it was held that tho mere making was no offence, the conviction would bo expunged. In any ease, no punishment will follow the jury’s decision. Two of the youths have yet to bo tried for uttering counterfeit half-crowns. This, one of them today said, was tho result of a change of clothes, and that, whon they found the bad money had been given to a shopkeeper, they were afraid to rectify the mistake.