THE ILLICIT STILL CASE IN THE R.M. COURT AT PALMERSTON NORTH.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3659, 6 April 1883, Page 3

THE ILLICIT STILL CASE IN THE R.M. COURT AT PALMERSTON NORTH.

Talmerston North, Thursday. At noon the case avus resumed. J. Jessop aud Richard Peck Avere charged Avith nine offences each, all variations ofthe one charge of using an illicit still. Samuel Barnes stated that he lived at Stoney Creek. Early in March, Avhile in the bush, lie came across some plant which he called a Avhiskey still. He subsequently visited the place Avith Jessop and others. R. Peck told him to keep epiiot and he Avould find him in as much Avhiskey to drink us he liked. AVitness did not have any eoiiA'orsution with Peck or Jessop after Avitness's second A-isit to the still. After the things avctc taken away by the police Avitness Avas at Peck's wli«re. That was on the 22nd of March. One of them said Avitness had no business there. They said Avitness had said something to the police about them making whiskey. AVitness told them he had said nothing. AVheu the police left the where Richard Peek hammered witness Avith his fists. This avus about 5.30 p.m. AVitness was told by Peck before the police took the things 'that if ho told they Avould hunt him out of the island. The day after they Avere arrested Avitness heard Peek say that Jessop had. whistled to give Avurning to (dear out. The place Avhere the still avus avus pretty dense bush. Jessop and Peek, before the 4th of March, Avere apparently following no occupation. By Mr HaAvkins: AVitness had been living-at Stoney Creek nearly a month before this affair. AVitness came from AVellington, and was Avorking at bushfalling at Stoney Creek for C. and G. Peck on contract. Three others Avere Avorking Avith him. AVitness told them nothing about this, at least only to Gaskin, whom he told next day. AVitness only Avent to the place once more with Jessop and the Pecks. He Avent to look about the bush for no particular purpose. Ho saw a track and wondered Avere it went to. It Avas a zigzag track. AVhcn Avitness .saw the things he felt frightened that .some one Avould catch him there. There Avas nothing in the tubs. AVitness Avent to Clias. Peck's house and told him he (Avitness) had seen a whisky .still in the bush. AVitness had seen small stills 'beforo. Tlicy -were not exactly like that one. AVitness came to the conclusion that it Avas a still because lie had an idea there avus going to be Avhisky made there. AVitness had never been in the trade himself. He had newer assisted in the still except Avith Air Jessop in moving a cask. There was pretty good beer in it. Jessop and Peck said they Avere going to make Avhiskey. The police gave mv a glass of beer Avhen they took possession of the still. I had four or five pints in about half-an-hour. Directly I came out Richard Peck pitched into me, as he said I had informed the police. Cannot say whether I Avas sober before ho hit me. He knocked me silly, and I do not knoAV lioav I got up again. After getting up I came doAVii toAvii. Did not threaten to do anything to my Avife Avith a gun. Have never seen Richard Peck doing any Avork on his land.

Air Lundou, Collector of Customs, deposed : I came from Marten to Fielding Avith Inspector James on the 17th March. About 9 p.m. left Fielding for Bunnythorpe, along the line. About 1 p.m. on Sunday Avas found by Constables Staton and Gillespie, and in company Avith thcin came along the Bunny thorpe and Stoney Creek line until opposite the allotments indicated on the plan, Avhich Avas about o o'clock on Sunday morning. AVaited till daylight. Gillespie led the Avay into the bush. After a little Avhile lost ourselves, but again found the track Avhich led us to the place Avhere the articles now in Court Avhere. The tin A-e.sssels were built in Avith brick, a hogshead and mash tub avctc also there, both containing liquor in a state of fermentation. The contents of an 18-gallon cask Avere also in a state of fermentation. There avus also an oblong trough or cooler. Witness described the finding of the articles produced in Court, consisting of tins, casks, tubs, sugar bags, and three-bushel sacks.