THE BITER BIT

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2088, 14 January 1908, Page 1

THE BITER BIT

A CUNNING SLY GROG SELLER. SELLS COLD TEA AT A POUND A BOTTLE. (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Jan. IS A good story conics to the “Po.t” from tho King Country about the experience of two detectives 'n that land of the sly-grog roller. They were after a nun who s-»i.l a incut exhilarating brand of cold tea at half a sovereign a bottle, and ILo detectives were sent up to do v-'hat they could to discourage him. Unfortunately for thorn ’lit* sly-grog si ller knew their vocation, and. when ono pleaded tearfully for some brandy to ease his great pain uie liquor uas supplied as a gift and every tender of money was refused. The detective’s pain passed off and a chat on dryness followed. One detective finally remarked tint he in. d heard tliero was an excellent brand of cold tea to be botight from llieir Lost, at half a sovereign a. bottle. The Lost admitted lie had such fluid, Lut its price was now £1 per bottle, lio said. The detective gladly paid over his pound and received in return a bottle containing somethin" that looked like brandy. Then lio and his companion rode G 3 miles to take out a. summons. To make sure of course they had the bottle opened and tested before the magistrate, of whom they were seeking the summons. Its contents were exactly what they had been reported to be by the seller — c-okl tea—and the summons is still unsigned.