COUNTERFEITERS' DREAMS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2180, 19 June 1914, Page 7

COUNTERFEITERS' DREAMS

»- — : — "MIND LIKE A CHILD." (By Telegraph ,—PreM Association.) Hamilton, June 18. Frederick Aaron Smith, a middle-aged man, in whose whare at Hairaipi a complete set of excellent moulds and stamps for counterfeit coins was found last week, appeared beforo Mr. Jusitce Edwards in the Supreme Court to-day. Mr. MacDiarmid appeared for accused, who pleaded guilty.- lie said that while his client was forty-five years of age, an early accident in infancy had affected his head, and his mind was like a child's, although the case was not one for an asylum. Dr. Reekie had said that Smith's brain was affected; he saw persons not present and heard voices not speaking, ilr. MacDiarmid added that lie did not think the case even one for trial. Prisoner did not understand tho seriousness of the charge, but seemed proud,of his achievement, and told people that fairies had shown him how to make silver and gold from tin and nails. His Honour: He seems to be a silly goose. .i'loi-iriMH dijjiiir.i. l ~..,,,„..,.. Dr. Reekie considered the prisoner better with his relatives than in an asylum.' \ • ■-. ... ' His Honour remarked-that-the-pri» soner was handy with mechanical devices. It was probably wrong to send him to gaol: he seemed to bo a handy man for a farm.' His Honour ordered him to pay the costs of 'the prosecution and to come up for sentence when called upon. Addressing tho prisoner, his Honour told him he must be a good boy, or it would be awkward for him. If he wanted to make anything he must see his mother about it. ,llis Honour also instructed-that the ' whare should' be inspected so that the man would not be allowed to employ his mechanical faculties 'in. more wrong-doing. _ • The prisoner left the r Court wearing the : look of a scolded child.