AN ILLICIT STILL

Marlborough Express, Volume LX, Issue 228, 27 September 1926, Page 3

AN ILLICIT STILL

NOT SUCH A BAD CASE. USED FOR MAKINO HOME BREW.

[Press Association.]

INVERCARGILL, Sept. 25. The case of an illicit whisky still at Pukemaori, which it is now stated was erected by a youth for the puU pose of making "some home brew to oelebrate his twenty-first birthday, was concluded in the Magistrate's Court at Invercargill. The case was lieard at Otautau some time ago, and after long delays legal argument was disposed of yesterday. Tlie men conoerned were Allan Dickson, wlio was charged with having in his possession apparatns mtended1 or suited for distilling, and William Coulter who was charged with (1) kn.owin.gJy supplying the still, and (2) with making the liquor. Ralph Dickson was charged with having a still in his possession, and Alexander Coulter with (1) assisting Ralph Dickson to liav© the still in his possession. and (2) with knowinglv assisting William Coulter to supply the still. In giving his decision. the Magistrate said that with visions of Southland's repnted illicit whisky traffic for the past 50 years in their minds the people imagined some big plant had been discovered in Pukemaori, but now it turiied out that it was the most innocent still imaginable. His Worship continued that be was quite satisfied that the D'istillation Act was a revenue .Act and not a Prohibitiqn, Act in any shap© or form. Tlie

sfrict penalties and restrictions were merely in order to protect the revenue. The Government merely wanted to make sure that not a ga« Jon of whisky escaped paying duty. Allan Dickson (who pleaded guilty) n'as fined the minimum amount with 63 3s costs, William Coulter was fined the minimum sum of £12 10s, and both charges against Alexander Coulter1 were dismissed. His AVorship added that the case was a puzzling one, and he would give the defenclant the benefit of the doubt. Ralph Dickson was fined a minimum amount and was ordered to pay costs amounting to £3 5s 6d.