A STORY OF A WHISKY MILL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1961, 17 April 1875, Page 4

A STORY OF A WHISKY MILL.

The Ballarat correspondent of the Pleasant Creek News refers to the existence of illicit stills ia the neighborhood of the metropolitan goldfield, and tells the following story of the style in which it is done:— v

" Seven years ago a man, whom we will call Jack, possessing more than average knowledge of chemistry, found his way to Ballarat. He was poor enough, and sufficiently ill-clad to escape attention. Jack looked around him for -some time, and then thought of a private whisky mill. He got funds somehow sufficient to make a start, and located himself in a suitable spot, within one hour's walk from the Post-office. His plant was not such a very small one, and was well arranged. He commenced to ' brew,' and in two months cleared off his liabilities, laid by £100 to meet the fine he knew would be imposed if caught defrauding the revenue, and otherwise got on well. The liquid distillled —a kind of arrack—was sold under the very nose of the police in, comparitively speaking, large quantities. Jack now and then made a special brew of fwhisky from malt, and obtained not only fa large, sale for such, but;'a big price, as>; the liquor being refined and flavoured was not only pure> spirit well made, but of exquisite flavor. This whisky found a place in the cellarets of magnates of the district, who knew, or professed to? know, nothing of its surroundings, other than the flavor was what, they liked, and could not obtain in the regular way of business. Situated on or near a creek within sight and cooey of a main road, ! Jack's place of business was as secure as if arranged on Central Mount Stuart, or any other far-off and desert part of the continent. Jack kept company too, and was choice in ..his selection of guests. 3here are thore who, perhaps, may now read these lines, who will bear me out in stating many, pleasant evenings were spent by Ballarat folk over Jack's fire and Jack's whisky. One memorable night the police came to the 'mill r \ The two blues did not, of course, state the nature of their business, but it was well known. Theße men were treated to hot grog by Jack, and drank it within sft. of the worm through which at the time spirits were passing in the form of vapor. Still nothing was found out, and the officers went away as wise at they came. Jack continued operations up to the fall of 1871* when the plant was sold,-and removed by the purchaser to another and distant part of the colony. Less than a month ago the last of a little stockiof Jack's best was placed bofore a ■ certain high official as abonbouche. How I Jack prospered may be guessed from the fact that • at home' he is now installed in a snug business, which he bought solely out of the profits of the little whisky mill on the^creek."