COUNTERFEIT NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1931, Page 2

COUNTERFEIT NOTES

SHOWMEN CHARGED.

(By Telegruph —Per Press Association)

AUCKLAND, May 21

Three Australian showmen, namely Percy Short, aged 56; bis son Percy John McKenzie Short, aged 20; and Harry. Torpv, aged 46;. and Mauric§ Goodman, aged 33, a traveller, and dm scribed as n native <4 England appeared before Mr F, K, Hunt S.M., at the Police Court to-day, on charges connected with the circulation recently of the counterfeit Bank of New South Wales £1 notes.

All four were charged with conspiring to defraud the public by 'uttei Mg forged £1 notes, and there were llvo other charges of uttering forged £1 notes to shopkeepers. A tobacconist, of Otahuhu, Roy Pnnckburst, said that three men entered his shop, one after the other, on the afternoon of April 24. Each bought a packet of cigarettes, and each tendered a £1 note. Witness gave the men 19s 2d each ns change. The notes were forged) as they bore the same number. Witness attended an identification parade at the l J olice Station, when be identified Short junr as one of the men.

Bertie Thomas Bond, drapery manager, of Otahuhu, said that on April 24th a man entered his shop and asked for a packet of needles, and in payment tendered a £1 note. Witness gave him 19s 3di change. He had a roll of notes in his hand, probably 15 or 20, and be took one from the bundle, crumpled it up in his hand, and threw it on the counter, Witness saw a green motor outside the shop. Later lie recognised tlie car at the polico station as the same vehicle which he saw outside his shop. Other shopkeepers gave similar evidence.

The police gave evidence as to the accused’s movements after which the accused pleaded “not guilty” and were committed, for trial. The bail was fixed at £SOO each.