180 57.-notes and 20 107.-notes for a man named Buncher, and 20 57.-notes for another person. After walking some distance they came to a field, and after digging in a bank, assisted by Griffiths, they found a considerable number of plates, which were now in the possession of Inspector Mauton. They then went to another place, and found more plates, which were also in Mr. Mauton's possession. Griffiths was taken before the magistrates at Birmingham, and afterwards brought to London.

Inspector Mauton, of the Birmingham police, produced the plates referred to by the previous witness, and which, he said, were mostly number and signature plates.

Mr. George Philip Tandy also produced some number plates and date and name plates found in Griffiths's house, with a brass plate used for rolling the

note paper.

Mr. Frederick Murfill said,-I am inspector of bank-notes in the Bank of England, and have been so for twenty-five years. I have in that way become familiar with forged notes which have been presented there from time to time. No forged notes on genuine paper were brought to the Bank prior to August last. On the 16th of that month a forged 57.-note, printed on genuine paper, was brought in. It was dated the 23rd of January, 1862, and was an impression, as I have since discovered, from plates found at the prisoner Griffiths's house. From that time about thirty-two 57. and four 107.-notes have been presented at the Bank on genuine paper, and which had also been printed from the plates used by Griffiths. A great number on common paper and printed from his plates have also been brought in. The genuine bank-notes are printed in the Bank, and from paper made at the mill at Laverstoke.

In reply to Mr. Pater, witness said there was nothing on the notes to which he had referred to show the date of their manufacture.

John Litchfield, under-foreman at the Laverstoke mills, identified the paper on which the forged notes on genuine paper referred to by the last witness had been printed as having been made at Laverstoke. It was sized, he said, but not glazed, and no paper was ever sent from the mill before being glazed. In August last, he said, a considerable quantity of paper was missed from the mill, and he identified the piece of 10-rupee paper produced (that found at Griffiths's house) as having been made there. It had not been sized at all, he said, and was only in the "dry, water-leaf state," in which it was never issued.

By Mr. Pater. There was nothing on the rupee paper to show the date of the manufacture. August last was not the first time paper had been missed from the mill; but he could not say how often without referring to books. He referred to Bank paper as well as rupee paper.

Henry Brown was called and examined by Mr. Bovill. He said, I am twenty-one years old, and am a son of George Brown, a carpenter at the Laverstoke mills. I was in the habit of assisting my father at the mills. Between May and Christmas, 1861, I first became acquainted with the prisoner Burnett, and that was at the Three Horse-shoes, Whitchurch, where he and his wife were then staying with his sister-in-law. I saw him very often there. His wife first spoke to me about bank-note paper, and Burnett afterwards said he knew some one who would print notes and pass them. He asked me to get some paper from the mills, but I refused. He asked me to do so repeatedly afterwards, and so did his wife. At last I took some from the mills-three sheets, or paper for six notes. I took it from the side of the size-drying machine, where it is passed between felted blankets and heated rollers. Two girls work at the machine, one

66

at each end. One puts the paper in and the other takes it out. It lies between the felts during the process. Near the lower end of the machine, at the side of it next to the wall, there is a place where a man can put his hand in and take paper from between the blankets. The paper is put in while the machine is in motion, and in two or three sheets together longwise, on the blankets. I got the three sheets from a place in the machine where I could not be seen by the girls. It was part of my duty to see that the blankets did not crease, and that the paper went regularly. The three sheets were "plain" paper-that is, without the denomination of the note upon it, but it had all the water-marks. I gave them to Mrs. Burnett about May or June. About that time Burnett said he knew some one who would print and pass the notes, but that he must take the paper to London. He several times asked me to get some more. He said I might as well do so, and go to London on a spree." I replied I would see if I could. I then took five sheets of 107.-note paper from the same part of the machine. I gave them to Burnett at Whitchurch. He afterwards asked me to get some more; I refused, upon which he said if that was "tumbled to" (found out) he should probably split upon me. I told him I should see about getting more. I then took ten sheets of "fifties" from the same place in the machine. [In every case there were two notes in a sheet.] That was the third time, and as I was leaving the mill I met Brewer, who asked me what I had got in my pocket. I replied, "Nothing." He said I had got some paper. I denied that I had, and said it was only a piece of wrapper. He insisted it was paper, and said I had better take it back, adding that he did not want to get me into a "row," or he would tell the "governor." I said I would, if he would not mention the matter. I went to do so, but Mr. Dusautoy was in the room, and I had not a chance. I took it down to the carpenter's shop, and Brewer came to me there and asked what I was going to do with the paper, and whether I had put it back. I said I had not a chance, and that I would take it to Burnett at Whitchurch, who would take it to somebody in London to print. He asked me who that was. I said I did not know. He told me to put it back as soon as I could. I had no opportunity, and afterwards took it to Burnett. I told him what Brewer had said. The next day I saw Brewer, and he asked me whether I had put the paper back. I said I had not a chance, and had taken it to Burnett. He advised me not to take any more. Burnett had then left the Three Horse-shoes for London. I saw him at Whitchurch two or three days afterwards. He gave me 47., telling me to give 37. to Brewer, and keep 17. myself. I kept 17. and gave 31. to Brewer, telling him Burnett had sent it. He said he did not want any thing to do with Burnett or his money. I told him he might as well take it, and he did so. He asked me if I knew where Burnett took the paper to. I said I did not know, but I had heard him tell his wife that "Fred had not got the plate done. He asked if it was Fred. Lancaster. I said I did not know, and he told me to ask Burnett the next time I saw him. He said he thought he knew Burnett, and asked me how much I had taken to Burnett, and what Burnett got a sheet for it. I replied I did not know, but that I thought he did not get any thing. I told him I had taken three sheets of "plain," five of "tens," and ten of "fifties," and that Burnett had taken them to London. When I next saw Burnett I asked who the man was to whom he took the paper, but he refused to tell me. Next morning I saw Brewer, and told him that Burnett had so refused. Brewer said if Burnett would not tell him he should find it out somehow. I told him Burnett wanted some more paper. Brewer said I was to get as much as Burnett wanted. After

that I took some more-twelve sheets of "plain," from the same side of the machine where I had got the rest. I gave them to Burnett. I saw Brewer a day or two afterwards and told him I had done so. He said that was all right. I then told him I thought about going to London to get work. He said it was the best thing I could do. That was about the latter end of June, 1861. He said I was not to mention his name to Burnett as to getting paper. I saw Burnett, and told him I was going to London. He said I had better get some more paper before I left, as I could not get any more afterwards. I saw Brewer and told him that. He said I could please myself about taking more. I then got forty sheets of "plain," and took them to Burnett. I left the mills a day or two afterwards, and came to London with Burnett and his wife. We stayed at Stratford, but not all in the same house. I remained in London about five weeks; I did not get any work, and lived with the Burnetts. I then returned to Laverstoke. I saw Brewer on my return, and he asked me why I had come back. I said I could not get work in London. He inquired what I was going to do. I said I should stop at home, and see if I could get any thing to do. I had come from London alone, leaving the Burnetts there. About six weeks before Christmas I was in the Prince Regent public-house at Whitchurch, and Brewer came in. He invited me to take a glass of brandy and water, which I did. He asked when I was going home. I said, "Directly." It was then about ten or eleven o'clock at night. He said he was going home too, and that we might as well go together. Brewer went out first, and I followed him. We walked to Laverstoke together, a distance of about two miles. On the way he asked if I knew where Burnett was. I said I knew where his brother lived, and most likely I could find him. He said he wanted me to take some Bank to him. I said I did not know whether I could manage to go, being out of work. Next day I saw Brewer near the mill gates. He said I was not to take any notice of him then, and he would come up to the shop to me directly, meaning my father's shop. I went, and Brewer came there about half an hour afterwards. Seeing my father in the shop, he asked for the loan of a saw. I lent him one, which he took away and returned in about half an hour. My father had then left. He explained that he had borrowed the saw because my father was there. He asked me if I had had any letter from Burnett about paper. I said I had not, and that I would give the thing up altogether. He said he wanted me to take some paper to London for him. I said I did not think I could do that, as father would want to know how I got the money to go. I thought of going to Portsmouth to my brother's, and staying till Christmas. He said it was the best thing I could do, and that I could return to Laverstoke at Christmas, and pretend I had come to see my friends. He asked if I wanted any money to go with. I told him I did not. I went to Portsmouth, and returned about a fortnight after Christmas. I had seen Brewer by chance two or three times before going, and he always urged me to come back and see him at Christmas, but that I was not to take any notice of him when I returned. I arrived at Laverstoke about four o'clock in the afternoon, and met Brewer coming out of the mill gates. He said I was not to take any notice of him then, but to meet him at the Red House Tavern, at Whitchurch. I went to the Red House in the evening, and saw him. He went out. I followed him, and we walked together to Laverstoke. He asked me if I was sure I could find Burnett. I said most likely I could. He said I was to be sure and not say any thing to any one about him. He said he wanted me to take two parcels of paper,-one to Burnett, and one to a woman in black, whom I should meet at the

paper

Waterloo railway station. He said I was to stand on the platform until she came up to me, and that he would write in the mean time and tell her what sort of a chap I was. He said she would be wearing a hat. He asked when I thought of going. I replied, the next day. He said I had better wait until the day following, in order that he might write to her. I waited accordingly. He gave me two parcels,-one for the woman, and one for Burnett. I opened the parcels on the way, and found 100 sheets of "plain" Bank paper in the one I was to give to the woman, and in the other 100 sheets of "fives" and 76 sheets of "tens." He told me I had better go by the Parliamentary train, and the woman would meet me. I went by that train. On arriving at the Waterloo station a woman in black came to me on the platform, and asked if I had got any thing for her; I said I had, and gave her one of the parcels. She gave me half-a-crown, to drink. I found out where Burnett was; I took the other parcel to him. He gave me 37., saying I was to give 27. to Brewer and pay my own expenses with the remainder. I stayed in London two days, and then went to Portsmouth. When I was there Burnett came down two or three times. I stayed at Portsmouth until a fortnight after Easter, and then came to London to see Burnett. After I had been there about a week he asked me to go and see Brewer, and try to get some more paper from him. I agreed to go, and went. He gave me some money to go--I can't say how much. I saw Brewer at Laverstoke the same afternoon I arrived there. He told me to go down the lane, and he would come to me. I did so, and he came and asked why I had returned. I told him Burnett had sent me for more paper. He replied, "All right; come to my house to-morrow night," adding, that he wanted me to take a key to London and try and get one made like it. The key produced is exactly like it. He said he thought Burnett knew who could make one. I saw him at his house next night, when he gave me two parcels, one for Burnett and the other for "the woman in black," to whom I had taken the other. He told me they contained paper, but did not say how much. I went to Portsmouth first, and from there to London. Brewer told me to go up to London on the Tuesday, and he would in the mean time write to the woman. I was to go again, he said, by the Parliamentary train. At the Waterloo station I found the woman, and gave her one of the parcels, and took the other to Burnett, with the key. I stopped at Burnett's house. While in London I went with Burnett to the top of Struttonground, Westminster. He left me there and went in the direction of the prisoner Buncher's house, though I did not see him go into the house. I had previously given the key to Burnett, and I know he had Bank paper with him when he went there. On leaving in the morning he had not much money, for he told me so, but on his return to me at Strutton-ground he had plenty. We went several times to Strutton-ground. On the next occasion I stayed at a public-house. I did not see where he went to. He had paper with him at that time. He supplied me with money while I was in London. On the third occasion we entered Strutton-ground by a different way, and I again stayed at a public-house until he came back. He had paper with him then. I cannot say how many times I went to Strutton-ground with him. On one occasion he went into a butcher's shop kept by Buncher, and remained about half an hour. After that he returned me the key I had given him. He said he wanted me to go down to see Brewer again, but that I had better go to Portsmouth first and pretend to my friends at Laverstoke that I had been working at the Isle of Wight. That was about a month before the reward came out, which was on the 16th of August. I went to Portsmouth. Burnett gave me 67. to take to

Brewer, and 37. for myself. He also gave me the key. I stayed at Portsmouth one day, and then went to Laverstoke. On arriving there I saw Brewer coming out of the mill yard, and I gave him the key and said Burnett had taken an impression of it and would get another key made. I also gave the money. He said that was all right, but that he could not get any more paper unless I stayed a fortnight. He said I had better go away again and come back on Sunday week, and manage to arrive at his house late at night. I went to London and returned on the Sunday week. I left the train at Basingstoke, and thence I went to Overton by train, arriving there about eight o'clock in the evening. There I stayed until about ten o'clock, and then left to walk to Laverstoke, a distance of two miles. Burnett had come with me from London, but he went on to Whitchurch without stopping at Basingstoke. On the way to Overton I was joined by William Litchfield, who accompanied me part of the road. When I got to Laverstoke I went to Brewer's house. He said I had better stay there until the next night. I did so. I had never slept at his house before. My father lives close by. Next morning, about eight or nine o'clock, Brewer gave me two parcels of Bank paper, telling me to go by the Parliamentary train and to give one to the woman and the other to Burnett. I was not, however, to go until the next day. At dinner-time, Brewer said I had better go to Basingstoke that night and go to London in the morning. He wished to write to the woman in the mean time. He said I was not to come down any more, for he would be suspected if I did. After dinner, Brewer returned to work, and I left for Basingstoke about three in the afternoon. On the road to Whitchurch I was joined by a man named James Rennans. I slept at Basingstoke that night, and went up to London next morning. I always carried the parcels in a black bag, which I had brought from London. I met "the woman in black" at the Waterloo station; but I told her I had not got any parcel for her, and she went away. I took both parcels to Burnett's. I found he had not returned from Whitchurch; but he came next day. The parcels I gave him contained plain and rupee paper, and there were also some "fives" and "tens." Burnett, on his return, said he had seen Brewer, and that I must not go down any more, lest we should be found out. I stayed at Burnett's, and next morning I went with him to Strutton-ground. He gave me some Bank paper to carry, for fear, he said, any one should "collar" him. He went on before, and I followed. On reaching Strutton-ground I gave him the paper, and then saw him take it to Buncher's shop, where he stayed about half an hour. He had no paper when he returned. Before going there he had but little money, but when he came back he had "a tidy lot." I remember the Bank reward coming out. Burnett then said, I had better go away somewhere until the affair had blown over. He said he had got the other key, but did not show it to me. I went to Portsmouth, Burnett supplying me with

money.

Cross-examined by Serjeant Ballantine.-My father has been carpenter at Laverstoke mills nearly all his life. I assisted in the mills and had 18s. a week. I gave no security. I lived with my father and mother at Laverstoke. When the mills were open I had access to them at all times. In the place where I stole the paper there were only two women, who attended the machine. Mrs. Burnett first suggested to me to take paper, and I did so about a month afterwards. I don't know how much I made by the business-it might be about 207., from first to last, not more. I knew I was getting the paper for purposes of forging. Burnett explained it all to me. The "plain" paper so-called might be used