INVERCARGILL COINING CASE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 6 September 1901, Page 4

INVERCARGILL COINING CASE.

(pee pbess association.)

Invekcahginl, September 4. At the conclusion of the hearing of the charge of coining against four youths His Honor said that it was clear JJfrom the evidence, and was admitted, that accused had made coin from a mould

made by half-a-crown, but it was a question of considerable difficulty whether the mere mailing of coin to resemble current coin without any intent to pass it was a crime. It did not seem difficult to believe that tire mere of com in that way was penal, especially as the penalty might be life imprisonment. His Honor therefore submitted two issues to the jury, (1.) Did accused or any o t them make connterficit coins with intent to resemble current silver coin; (3) with intent to make it pass for current silver coin.

The jury answered the first in the affirmative, tiro latter in the negative. His Honor entered a conviction and stated that he would submit point he had mentioned to the Appeal Court. If it was held that the mere making was no offence the conviction would be expunged. In any ease no punishment will follow the jury’s decision. Two of the youths arc yet to be tried for uttering counterfeit half-crowns. This one of them to-day said, was the result of a change of clothes and that when they found he had money that had been given to the shopkeeper, they were afraid to rectify the mistake.