DISCOVERY OF A GANG OF COINERS IN MELBOURNE.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3412, 28 November 1879, Page 3

DISCOVERY OF A GANG OF COINERS IN MELBOURNE.

The manufacture of base coins, or ns it is technically termed, " smashers," is a crime that fortunately docs not fn quently occur in Victoria. From time to lime, however, gangs of coiners have pursued their nefarious operations in the city and *■ suburbs, and quantities of worthless coins hare been palmed oft' on unsuspecting tradesmen. For some time past a creafc number of spurious half-crowns have been put into circulation, and until yesterday no clue to their origin or to the persons by whom they were passed could be obtained. By careful inquiry Detectives Coleman and Lovie ascertained that a man, wfiose description answered that of the offender by whom the spurious coins were disposed of, was in the habit of hiring horses on livery from Boss's stables in Little Bourice street east. The imitations were almost invariably disposed of by a person on horseback, who called at various shops and purchased some small article, and paid for it with a false half-crown. On one occasion the person hiring the horses tendered a bad half-crown in payment of the hire, and tbia circumstance, although trivial in itself, ultimately led to the. discovery of the gang. Acting on information supplied to him, Detective Coleman concealed himself in Boss's stables on Sunday night, having previously ascertained that the man for whom he was searching had engaged two horses, which he required to be ready about four o'clock yesterday morning. At about half-past four o'clock a man named James Clark, alias Creed, called for the animals, and on being asked where his mate was who was to ride the secend horse; he stated that he was up in Garlton, and that he was going to take a horse up to him. After some slight delay Detective Coleman, who was in ambush, arrested him and took him to the Detectire Office. On being searched there, only 8s 6d in good modey was found upon him, but he eventually admitted that he had coined a quantity of spurious money, and soußht to make out that no one else was implicated in the matter. The detective officer, however, had information to the effect that he was constantly accompanied by another man, and they accordingly returned to Boss's stables. After waiting there for a short time their patience was rewarded by seeing a man named Hart come round the corner. The stable man at once recognised him as Creed's companion, and •without further delay he was arrested as an accomplice. At first he denied any knowledge of the matter, but at last admitted that he was going away with Creed upon horseback on a shooting expedition. Creed at the outset stoutly maintained that be resided in Bathdowne street, Carlton, but on being informed that ihe< statement was known to be

false he admitted that be lived in Oxford street, Collingwood. The key of his house was found upon him, and without any unnecessary delay Coleman and Lovie proceeded to the premises indicated. On entering the place they found every mdi* cation of an intention oh the part of tho occupant to at once clear out and take to the road. His wife was in bed, and* havingaroused her and waited while she dressed herself, tho officers proceeded to search the premises; Mrs Creed denied any knowledge of any spurious money being upon tho premises, and said she had nerer seen any. The first object which attracted the attention of the officers was - a carefully made-up swap, which, on being opened was found^to contain a Dean and Adam's revolw^M^ly loaded, a valuablo can, a set effUse whiskers, beard and moustache, a black Teil, and two masks. On continuing the search, other articles of a curious nature were brought to light. In one corner were a number of bars of solder, a quantity of zinc, and a bar of plaster of Paris. In another spot were a number of crucibles, which had evidently been used for melting metals. On digging up the yard at the rear of tho honso, j a package was found which contained 16 base half crowns in a partially-finished condition. Mrs Creed was arrested on the spot upon the charge of uttering the base coin manufactured by her husband and his partner. The detectives then visiled the house occupied by Hart, but the only criminating articles they found were a number of crucibles. When Hart was arrested, however, he had in his possession a loaded revolver and two bottles of an acid which is supposed to have been used in preparing the coins before they were finally passed ofi' on the public- After -this arrest Creed was brought before the City Bench, and remanded until Friday next. Before his removal to gaol he admitted 16 Detective Coleman that he had made the i moulds and cast the spurious coins which had

was responsible for tho mutter, and he described various people whom he liaa victimised, tic stated that ho hud learnt the urt of manufacturing base money in tho Mauritius, where he at one time resided, and ho exculpated both his wife nnd Hart from any share in the transac tion. The manner in which the coins were disposed of was very ingenious, and there is every reason to bolieve that Hart had as. much to do with the matter as Creed. Creed used to hire horses from IJoss's stables, and then ride round the suburbs. He visited hotels, grocery stores, and small shops, and, having bought some slight articles, tendered a spurious half-crowns, nnd as soon us he nbUined the change rode away. Both Hart and Mrs Creed hnve bren positively identified as having passed false coin. Mrs Creed, on having been searched at tho watchhousc, was found to have in her possession a large quantity of indirrubber tubing intended for infants' feeding bottles, nnd the supposition is that a number of chemists have been victimised by these base half-crowns. She also had in her possession a false moustache and a large number of pawn tickets for valuable jewellery. The officers in charge of th» case arc carefully investigating the latter circumstance, as it is thought that there is at last a slight clue to the identity of Dr Bonncfin, who so cleverly swindled several jewellers a short time since.— Melbourne Argus.