WHISKY STILL

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1926, Page 4

WHISKY STILL

j" INVERCARGILL, Sept. 21. The case of an illicit whisky still at lU Pukemaori, which, it is now stated, was erected by a youth for the purpose of r V making some “home brew” to selehrate his 21st birthday, was concluded in the j s Magistrate’s Court at Invercargill this ( | afternoon. The case was hoard at ,1 Otautau some time ago, and after long is delays the legal argument was disposed *s of today. The men concerned were Allan Dielcd son, who was charged with having in ic his possession an apparatus intended c or suited for distilling, William Couli- tor witli (1) knowingly supplying a if still, and (2) with making it ; Ralph Dickson, with having a still in his possI ossion; Alexandra Coaler, with (1) assyj isfing Ralph Dickson to have the still n in liis possession, and (2) with lcnowing;s ]y assisting William Coulter to supply o the still. r- Tn giving his decision, the Magistrate n said thill with visions of Southland's roll puted illicit- whisky traffic for the past r 50 years in their minds, people imagiuF ed that some big plant had been diso covered in Pukemaori, hut now it turn- '■ ed out that it was the most innocent '> still imaginable. His worship eontin- " ued that he was quite satisfied that the r Distillation Act was a revenue A.ct, and “ not a Prohibition Act in any shape or ■ fnn. Tlie strict penalties and restrictions were merely in order to protect the revenue. The Government merely 1 wanted to make sure that not a gallon •’ of whisky escaped paying duty. Allan 1 Dickson (who pleaded guilty) was fin- ' ed the minimum amount, with £3 3s costs. "William Coulter was fined the minimum sum oi' £l2 10s, and both charges against Alexander Coulter were ’ dismissed, his Worship adding that the case was a puzzling one, and he would give the defendant the benefit of the doubt. Ralph Dickson was fined ( the minimum amount, and was ordered to pay costs amounting to £3 5s Gel.