NOTE FORGERY ALLEGED

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1928, Page 11

NOTE FORGERY ALLEGED

FOREIGNERS SENT FOR TRIAL PLANT FOUND TN MELBOURNE. WOMAN TURNS CROWN WITNESS. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian Press Association. Melbourne, May 22. Four men charged with having conspired to forge £5 bank notes, Stefan Karasiewiez, a Russian process engraver, John Howard, contractor, Benjamin Thomas, tailor, Ralph Miller, retired farmer, have been committed for trial. A foreign woman, Senia Marchenko, who lived with Karasiewiez in a remote bush hut near the seaside, turned Crown witness. All the charges against her were withdrawn. She has recently been cared for by convent nuns. She gave evidence that she first made the acquaintance of Karasiewiez some months ago, when Howarth and Miller took her to th* latter’s hut. She was unable to speak a word of English and was unaware of Karasiewiez’s occupation until one day she saw a half completed £5O note. Afterwards she saw Karasiewiez preparing the paper, making watermarks and sometimes printing notes. It was done in the presence of Howarth and Miller.

Witness made paper flowers at Howarth’s suggestion as a “blind.” When, however, she discovered the note printing she announced her intention of clearing out, whereupon she was given a pair of shoes and stockings. Ronald Harrison, engraver and technical adviser to the Commonwealth Bank, said the-"counterfeit notes were a splendid imitation. All the accused are on bail.