PEACOCK PINCHED.

NZ Truth, Issue 103, 8 June 1907, Page 4

PEACOCK PINCHED.

THE COINING CHARGE. ! Committed for Trial. Bail Refused. One of the troubles whdoh have been heaped upon Henry Peacock descended to-day, when, he ' was charged before Magistrate McArthur with haVing m his possession, on May 21,, without lawful authority or excuse,; a mould intended to make the 're- i semblance of both sides of a current' coin, to wit a half-sovereign, knowing the same to be such. Peacock was further charged with being m possession of a mould for the. manufacture of balf-crowDiS. » Chief 'Tec McGratb. prosecuted and solicitor Weston defended. - 'Tec Broberg said on May 21 PeaI cock was under arrest on another charge, and received from, Peacock a • key, which the prisoner said, was the key of one of his two workrooms; 61a Cuba Street. Next dayj 'Tecs Williams and Broberg wenttoi the rooms mentioned, opened one, ' and there found, a bench on -which were two plaster of Paris moulds, each of which was m two halves.; Each bore the impression of nalf-a--crown, with dates '-1596" and . "1906." Another mould m two halves on the bench bore tte impressions of two sides of a half-sover-eign, wiith date "1903." Also found- ' an incomplete half-sovereign mould, > bearing the impression of both sides of a half-sovereign.- Also parts of a half-crown mould. , On the same table were found twenty imitation halfcrowns made of SOME SORT OF WHITE METAL. Twenty-three of the coins wers dated 1896, and the other one 1906. Also found four imitation half-sovereigns , made of similar .white metal. Searched the other rr o m and found three boxes of plaster of Paris and four bands similar m shape to the plaster of Paris moulds found m the first room, and the inside of the hands were smeared into the plaster of 1 Paris, and had apparently been used for forming the moulds. Near a vice on a bench found . a number of straight pieces of metal, also a quantity of white metal m a rouch state. Adjoining this back room was a lavatory with gas fittings, 1 screwed on to which was a large spray . jet Tw6 bricks stood on end on either side of the, gas jet, alongside of which was a crucible containing a small quantity of whUe 'metal, and it had a shank fitted to it.' Placed it m position, resting on the bricks, and found that the gas jet was immediately beneath it. Surrounding the gas jet were a number of white metal splashes. A bottle .containing liquid had a cork on wMoh was marked m pencil, "Gold."' An electric battery \ v as also found; m the lavatory. It was m process of being'" cleaned. Sa\y Mr Ludwig, and mentioned, to Mm the two ooins m which these articles wero found. On the same aftewiooh 'Tecs Williams and Broberg showed , the coins and moulds to accused. Told him they 'had been found on his premises m Cuba-street. He replied : "I admit I ? new they were there." Told him he would be charged: with havihg. ..the >^ticles^iiLh^l^i3Ss^s^Qii^'lw On J4^;2B-' l tf«M)c\mi)o^ie/;ot.,TfiiMr/ , and coins to William Alexander, , an electric plater, m Willis. Street. He connected 1 a foatterV. with the fluid. Saw Mm test the fluid onONE OF THE HALF-CROWNS and also on some copper. 'Tec Williams corroborated. ' E. C. Ludwig also gave evidence. Otto GiKMan, a farass moulder, produoad three of the plaster [of Paris - moulds, 1 wfaidh had been handed to I him by the police Twenty^tnree imitation half crowns were made inone of the moulds, and another coin m a similar mould. He also identified the spurious half-sovereigns wfrtfc the corresponding moulds. .Her handled other exhibits pounced upon by. / the police when on Peaoock.'s premises, and testified to them as belonging to a coiner's plant. ; • William Alexander, electro-plater, said the liq,uM m the bottle produo* ed was a gilding chemical used m. tbe trade. It was usual to' copperplate a foase metal of the kind produced before gilding, and one of the half-crowns tested, did - not ' 'taike'* very well. The . battery produced could be used for gilding coins. Peacock, who pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence, and was • com--niitted to th« Supreme Courts fo* trial. ' ■. . , Mr Weston applied for bail. In another case, he pointed out, bail was refused because it was -alleged Peacock had threatened tq : shoot his v daughter, ; but an examination of his personal effects had revealed no revolver. This weapon, it appears, had been pawned, and the police now held the ticket. ' > , Prosecutor McGrath said he, would be sorry to appear persistent m his opposition to bail. .He would withdraw that opposition if be thought ift , would be safe togiVe Peacock his liberty. His, Worship said tbe safety of tins public at large must be considered, and Peacock would. remain m custody..

In connection with the above, the police have received an anonymous letter, written apparently by a discharged prisoner, intimating, that Peacock meditates committing suicide.