PALMERSTON STILL CASES.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 88, 7 April 1883, Page 2

PALMERSTON STILL CASES.

The hearing of these cases was resumed at the Palmerston R. M. Court yesterday, before E. Ward, Esq., R.M., and two JP.'s. Mr Fitzherbert prosecuted on behalf of the Crown, and was, supported by Mr Lundon, Inspector of Customs, and Mr James, Inspector of Police. We make the following extracts from the Manawatu limes' report : — David London, collector of customs^ deposed j From information received I came from Marten to, Feilding with In specter James on T7th march ; about 9 p.m. left Feilding for. Bmmythorpe, along tbe line ; abont 2 a.m. on Sunday morning were joined by Constables Stanton and Gillespie ; in company with them cameolongßunnythorpeand Stony Creek line, until we came opposite the allotments indicated on the plan about Wdocfc Ml the Sunday morning. Constable Gillespie led the way into, the bush, and found a track which led ns to where the articles now in court were ; the tin vessels were built in with brick; a hogshead and a mash tub were also there, both containing liquor in a state, vt fermentation ; witness described finding the articles produced in court, consisting of casks, tabs, sugar bags- three bushel sacks, Sec. At this stage Inspector James was placed in the box to testify to the accuracy of a plan he had prepared, showing the position of the articles; Constable Gillespie and witnes sat down by a tree, from whence they could see the spot, and remained there all Sunday; returned to same place on Monday ; after we.got in the clearing, saw Richard Peck hurrying along before us, and as soon as we eame np to him he was arrested; searched Jessop's house, found two tin cans, two kegs, and a bag of sugar there; remarked to Jessop that the tins were serviceable to carry out whiskey through the bush ; he said it was a pity we bad come oohim so soon, as in a few days he could have shown that he could brew a good article in whiskey, and there would have been others — men of mark — in the swim, whereas we had now only got him; found " worts" in the tins on Sunday morning ; have had some experience in distillation ; I can say positively that the apparatus was capable of distilling spirits, and the material in the vessels was suitable for that purpose ; the amount of wash waft) about two or three hundred gallons, which was more than sufficient to produce a gallon of sprits ; two hundred gallons, if you like. Constable Stanton's evidence was also corroborative of that given by previous witnesses. He produced an inventory of the articles found on ihe premises at the alleged still. Jessop told him the worm had hot yet come up "'■> Constable Gillespie's evidence supported that of Messrs Lundun, James, and Constable Stanton in respect to the discovery of the " establishment." The defendants, Jessop and Peckmade lengthy statements. The purport of Jessop's was that he erected the prem-

■---■■■■■■»_■___-■»- -1 1 1 1 l-M ll— fr— ises himself for the purpose of experimenting on " flax bitter." Peck's evidence was of little importance: He denied ever being at the still except when he accompanied Mr Lundun. He nlso denied to Constable. Gillespie that he had anything to do with the matter. Ambrose Lough, brewer, depose J. — 1 know something about distillery The apparatus in i ourt could not be used for that purpose. I speak from experience. This concluded the case for the defence. In delivering judgment the 11 M. said — "We are of opinion, from thp evidence and from the articles before us, that they constitute a 'still* within the . meshing. of tbe Act, and are nlso of opinion that defendants nre guilty." Mr Fitzherbert askfd that sentence should be passed, and that evidence should be tnten as to a previous conviction of Jessop. The Bench decided not to take this into consideration, and stated that they had decided not to send defendants to ?rison without the option of a fine, 'hey would each be fined £100, and in default would be imprisoned in Wanga~ nui gaol for six months. Jessop stated that no money would be got out of him, and prisoners were removed in custody. The other informations against Jessop and Peck were withdrawn, and the Court adjourned at 8.30. The charges against Charles and George Peck were heard this morning, ancl dismissed, the Bench declining to convict on the evidence only of Barnes. The cases against Fly ger and Malcolm were called on this afternoon, at 2 o'clock and about 4 o'clock were dismissed.

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