“ALL IS NOT GOLD”

Northern Advocate, 28 October 1932, Page 6

“ALL IS NOT GOLD”

MEDALS WITH SILVER CORE

NEGOTIATOR FOUND GUILTY

AGENT ACQUITTED

(Per Press Association.—Copyright.) CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday

Charged with obtaining money by false pretences, Norris Blaxall, 39, jeweller ,and Luke Stephen Dolan, 27, ship’s steward, appeared for trial before Mr Justice Ostler, and a jury iu the Supreme Court today. It was alleged that they had made spurious gold' medals and sold them to gold buyers, representing that the medals were solid 18-carat gold. There were six charges, the total amount involved being £29. Several gold buyers and jewellers gave evidence of having bought medals from Blaxall, who told some of the purchasers that he was selling a medal for a woman; or for a relative, and others that ho was “hard up.” All the witnesses said they tested the edge of the metal and found gold of the quality stamped.

Constable Parrish said that Blaxall admitted selling a modal to a socondland dealer at more than its true value. He had sold several medals which he brought from Wellington for the purpose, but in no case, lie said, had ho told the buyer that the medal was solid gold. Dolan said he had been given medals by Blaxall to sell in Christchurch. He was to be paid expenses and was to receive other money ■when ne returned to Wellington. One jeweller cut a medal in halves, discovered a core of silver, and refused to buy it. Dolan said he communicated witli Blaxall, who came to Christchurch and took charge, selling several medals. The jury, after a retirement of three hours, found Blaxall guilty on all counts, and Dolan not guilty on all counts.

The jury added a rider recommending mercy on the ground that goldbuyers had the opportunity of purchasing medals at their face value. Blaxall was remanded until Friday for sentence.