RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, WANGANUI.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIII, Issue 1028, 18 May 1869, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, WANGANUI.

Monday, May 17. [Before W. L. Buller, Esq., R.M.J illicit distillation. Inspector Atchison charged Ewen Mclntosh and .John Cameron with having been concerned in illicit distillation in the neighbourhood of Turakina.

Mr H. J. Perham, Crown Prosecutor, conducted the case against the defendants, for whom Mr P. Keon appeared. Sergt. Reid, of the Wanganui police, deposed to having gone to Turakina on the 22nd of April, and, in company with Constable McLean, proceeded up the Turakina Valley in search of an illicit still supposed to be in work in that locality. At a spot about a mile from the Valley road, a mile and a half from the nearest dwelling, and about eight miles from the township of Turakina, they came upon a bell tent standing near the edgo of a ravine, Inside, a number of blankets, a quantity of fresh bread, &c., were found. Within a few yards of the tent a handmill was seen fixed to a stump. A little distance further into the gully they found a boiler set in the bank and close to a whare, in which they found a still in full working order, three empty tubs, and a five-gallon keg containing a quantity of weak spirits, known as “washings of the tub.” The things appeared to have been recently used. Constable McLean deposed to having accompanied Sergt. Reid on his search. About eight miles from Turakina on the verge of a ravine on land which he believed to be unsurveyed, they found some cut scrub and close at hand a bell tent. From this a foot-track lead them to a whare, which he described in the same terms as the former witness.

John Fox, labourer, in the employ of Mr Archd. Cameron, deposed to having had the hut where the illicit distillation was carried on pointed out to him, but he had never seen either or both of the prisoners near the place. A son of Mr Archibald Cameron’s had before pointed out the place to him.

Donald McKinnon, shepherd in the employ of Mr Chas. Cameron, deposed to

knowing the defendants, but had never seen them together. He had never seen the still, the tent, or the hut, but on the 16th of April he had passed near a place which lie guessed to be the spot where the distillation was carried on. The land was Government land. He had seen sheep with Mr Chas. Cameron’s brand near the spot, but, as there were no fences, there was nothing to stop sheep trespassing there or anywhere else.

At this stage of the proceedings the Crown Prosecutor applied for an adjournment for a week to allow him time to lind evidence. The case was accordingly adjourned till Monday next ; Ewen Mclntosh (having been apprehend on a warrant) being allowed to find bail in two sureties in £SO each.