FORGED NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1930, Page 2

FORGED NOTES

AUCKLAND SHOPKEEPERS VICTIMISED. AUCKLAND, December 25. At the busiest time in the shopping period on Wednesday afternoon a number of forged £1 Bank of Australasia notes were found to be in circulation in Auckland, a number being presented in payment for small articles at two large stores. it, appears that a large number of counterfeit notes, which are in two series, htft been printed, and one or iiiore men had commenced to put them into circulation at about bank closing time during the busy Christmas shopping rush. Although the reproduction had been very skilfully carried out and an ordinary person would rapidly pass the notes, several fell into the possession of the bank just before 3 o’clock, and other shopkeepers and the police were informed. n> Points of Variance. There is very little to distinguish the forged notes from the genuine on first sight, but closer examination’reveals a number of differences. The forged notes are about one-eighth of an inch shorter and are very slightly narrower, the difference in size hying in the margin and not in the printing, The texture tam he distinguished ivm the genuine, as the paper is thinner, On genuine notes the numbers are black and well spaced, those on the forged being larger, not dark, and closer spaced, The signature on the forged notes is “J. J.- Gellert,,” and the date January Ist, 1929, resembling the signature and date on one of the current issues of notes, of which there are many at present in circulation. On the forged notes the initials are not readily legible, while those on tthe genuine notes are fairly clear. On the original notes are the words “I promise to pay the bearer on demand one pound at Wellington.” On the counterfeit notes these words are not legible, with the exception of the words “ One pound,” which are in white block letters. The tops of the letters I and P in “I promise” are also legible against the white field of the body of the note. The countersignatures on the forged notes are not clear and consist mainly of a series of up and down strokes. Apparently the notes have been printed in two different series. It is thought that there may be some hundreds of notes in each series. Forgery Detected. The first notes to be detected, were six which were cashed at a large Queen Street store ' between 2 and 3 p.m. They were forwarded to the bank with the takings up to the time, and as soon as they were presented were declared to be forgeries. The bank then notified the police and other shopkeepers in Queen Street. About 3 o’clock an employee in another large shop a short distance up Queen Street was tendered a forged note, which she refused to accent. It is believed that a large number of forged notes are already in circulation, and in an effort to prevent any more being ciroulated and to warn tlie public the nnlice broadcasted a statement from' IYA on Wednesday evening. Other steps are being taken to prevent more of the notes from being passed.