of the Crown recognised by common law, but now for the most
part regulated by statute or Order in Council (see 6 Hail-
sham's Halsbury p.548 and the Encyclopaedia of the Laws of
England Vol.14 p.130).
6. The private issue of tokens has long been forbidden
in the United Kingdom and Statutes to that effect are now
consolidated in section 5 of the Coinage Act 1870 633 & 34
Vict. c.10). That Act is not in force in the Colony, but
two Statutes it replaced, namely 52 Geo.3, c.157 and 57 Geo.
3, c.46, are apparently in force by virtue of section 5 of
Ordinance No.3 of 1873. These Statutes made it an offence
to issue or circulate certain pieces of metal usually called
tokens.
7. It seems desirable, especially as doubts have been
expressed on the subject, that the position should be clari-
fied by express provision in a local Ordinance on the lines
of the two Statutes of George 3, and of section 5 of the
Coinage Act, 1870.
8.
5
The Statute 57 Geo.3 c.46 provided that no piece of
copper, or of any mixed metal composed partly of copper of
whatever value the same may be shall pass or circulate as a
token for money or as purporting that the bearer or holder
thereof is entitled to demand any value denoted thereon by
letters, words, figures, marks or otherwise whether such
value is to be paid or given in money or goods or other value
or in any manner whatsoever.
9.
The Statute 52 Geo.3 c.157 contained a similar provision
with regard to token pieces of gold or silver or of any mixed
metal composed partly of gold or silver.
10.
Neither statute referred to nickel tokens which in
England are now prohibited under section 5 of the Coinage
Act 1870 (33 & 34 Vict. c.10).
11. In the new Ordinance the language of the Statutes of
George 3 has been followed as far as possible but it has been
considered advisable to mention "fares or services" expressly.