ILLICIT STILL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3543, 28 September 1926, Page 2

ILLICIT STILL

TWO MEN FINED. Invercargill, September 24. The case of the illicit whisky still at Pukemaori, which ift is now stated, was erected by a youth for the purpose of making some home-brew In celebrate his 21st birthday, was concluded in the Magistrate’s Court at Invercargill this afternoon. The case was heard at Otautau some time ago, and after lengthy delays legal argument was disposed of today. The men concerned were Allan Dickson, charged with having in his possession an apparatus intended or suited for distilling; William Coulter, with (1) knowingly supplying the still, and (2) with making it; Ralph Dickson, with having a still in his possession; Alexander Coulter, with (1) assisting Ralph Dickson to have the still in his possession, and (2) with knowingly assisting William Coulter to supply the still. Mr G. Cruiekshank, S.M., presided. In giving his decision, the magistrate said that with visions of Southland’s reputed illicit whisky traffic for the past 50 years in their minds, people imagined that some big plant had been discovered in Pukemaori, but now it turned out that it was tlie most innocent still imaginable. He was quite satisfied that* the Distillation Act was a revenue act and not a prohibition act in any shape or form. The strict penalties and restrictions weic merely in order to protect the revenue. The Government merely wanted to make sure that not a gallon of, whisky escaped paying duty. Allan Dickson (who pleaded guilty), was fined the minimum amount with £3 3s costs. William Coulter was fined, £l2 10s. Both chaiges against Alexander Coulter were dismissed. His Worship adding that the case was a puzzling one, and he would give defendant the benefit of the doubt. Ralph Dickson was fined the. minimum amount, and was ordered to pay costs £3 5/6.