STRANGE CONCOCTION

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 288, 30 July 1932, Page 3

STRANGE CONCOCTION

ALIEN COtiPLE ADMIT MAKING WEIRD MIXTURE. GLASGOW'S NEW "HOOCH." — — A strange liquid seized by the Glasgow police and sent to a Government analyst in London consisted, according to Ms report, of "a concoction of mineralised niethylated spirits, fermented vegetables, and brown sugar, with a flavouring of peppermint." One bottle of the mixture contained 80 per cent. spirits. For some time p«ast the police of the Southern Division had been mystified by the peculiar behaviour of a large nnmber of drunken people in the district. Men and women were found in the streets in an extreme state of intoxication, and it was obvious that they were suffering more than the ordinary effects of over-indulgence. A Surprise Raid. Strenuous efforts were made by detectives to trace the source of supply of this new "lcnock-out," and persons of both sexes were put under observation. They were seen to enter certain houses, to appear later almost helplessly intoxicated. When approached by the police they smelled strongly of methylated spirits. As a result of their observation, the police made a surprise raid on_ a house in Commercial Road, Glasgow, occupied hy a married couple named Kuchi, of Polish nationality. Following this, the officers visited another house in Florence Street. As they approached they heard the clink of glasses and the chatter of raised voices speaking in a foreign language. Inside, the detectives saw the Kuchis and another couple. A table was covered with bottles sand drinkingglasses, and the police took possession of the bottles referred to. Kuchi and his wife, who pleaded guilty to having manufactured the beverage, were each fined £10, with an alternative of 30 days' imprisonment.