SEIZURE OF AN ILLICIT STILL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2573, 20 June 1881, Page 2

SEIZURE OF AN ILLICIT STILL.

(From the Melboure “Age,” June 7.) An important seizure of a large illicit still was made yesterday by Mr Hammond, chief inspector of distilleries, accompanied by Messrs Hurley and Watson, Inspectors of distilleries, in Fenwick Street, North Carlton. From ceatain information received by these officers they proceeded yesterday evening to a house m Fenwick street, North Carlton and demanded admission. An elderly woman opened the door to them, but refused admission ; they went in however, and then tried to open the door of one of the rooms, but found it was locked. One of the officers went into the yard and looked through the window, and from what he saw he was satisfied that a still was in the room. The lock was then broken and admission gained. In the room was found a largo still with all the necessary appurtenances and two casks of sugar wash undergoing the process of fermentation. From the nature of its construction there appeared to be no doubt that the man who directed it thoroughly understood his work. The still itself was a small copper boiler, 3 feet 6 inches by 2 feet, and calculated to hold about 100 gallons. If properly worked about 30 to 50 gallons of liquor per diem could be turned out, and placing that at 8s per gallon the proprietor could make a really good business of it. In an adjoining room two more hogsheads of fermenting sugar wash were found, together with a quantity of essence of gin and rum, a lot of treacle and other materials necessary for the manufacture of the spirit. A quantity of whisky was also discovered, and at once seized. Looking at the cottage from outside one would scarcely suppose that it contained a still. It is a doublefronted brick cottage, lately built and owned and occupied by Mr "William Grant, a veterinary surgeon and horsedealer, and as he has proved himself, a distiller as well. Mr Grant was not at home at the time of the visit, but a publican, the landlord of the Niagara Hotel, Lonsdale street, was there and as his presence appeared suspicious he was arrested. He, however, protested his innocence, and .stated that he had only come to the place on a visit. The house was then left in charge of Constable Cahill. Up to a lato hour last night Grant was not arrested. The still has evidently been in operation only for a few months, as the house is a new one. Later in the night, Mr Hurley, accompanied by Detective Lovie, searched the Niagara Hotel, Lonsdale street west, and found a quantity of the illicit spirit, which they seized. Grant is a Scotchman, and learned the business of a distiller in the Highlands of Scotland. The spirit seized was of a very bad sort and fiery. __________