“FORKED LIGHTNING.”

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1926, Page 4

“FORKED LIGHTNING.”

ILLICIT STILUS IN SOUTHLAND. DUNEDIN, June I). Though to ma,lily it will coinc as a fantastic tale, dating from the early day of New Zealand’s history, there is every reason to believe that in certain parts of the back country of Southland, and possibly towards the Otago district, there are stills produc* ing illicit “moonshine” whisky in comparatively largo qnontitiies for sale in Invercargill, and surrounding districts (says tlio “Otago Daily Times”). 11l fact, it is stated by responsible Dunedin citizens that a proportion of this spirit, distilled in the secret recesses of bush-covered hills, is reaching Dunedin.

To a large section of the community in Invercargill, and other Southland towns, it is common knowledge that illicit supplies of “moonshine” whisky exist. In fact, the spirit is generally known as “lTokoniii brand.” liecause of the widespread belief that it is distilled somewhere ill the hills of that name. This belief is strengthened by the fact that within the last two years men have been found guilty by the Magistrate in Invercargill of distilling whisky in that locality. All who have knowledge of existence of this l iskv and illegal trade are of opinion that there were many who kept beyond reach of the law when the last arrests were made, and the fact that “moonshine” whisky has .appeared in Invercargill since that' time lends colour to the opinion.

Samples of tliis whisky are in Dunedin to-day. Regular supplies may reach the city, and in the opinion ol those who hold samples, supplies do icadi Dunedin. A Dunedin business mu n i limed to a cupboard and produced a plain bottle of white colourless whisky. “This,” lie said, “is moonshine whisky from Southland.” T have had it tested by an export from overseas. who pronounced it mediocre quality grain whisk. It had, according to the expert, been in.itured for 10 years

a fact that points to the largo supplies of the spirit being in existence. The sample is a particularly good oi.o as moonshine whisky goes, and if blended carefully would mix with other whisky from overseas with satisfactory results. But there are other samples which I have seen that are greatly inferior in quality. Most samples are while, hut it is an easy matter to colour spirits with burnt sugar, and l believe that some supplies lire coloured. It is not 'altogether the aiiiounl of whisky that these illicit distillers sell. 1 am quite prepared to admit that ill comparison with regular legal sales in hotels the amount is very small—but it is the injury that these bad whiskies, either pure or blended, may do to the public til,at lias to be considered.