15

I.—lo.

T. H. HTJSTWICK.

183. (To Mr. Glasgow) Do you know, Mr. Glasgow?—l really do not know. I was thinking it would be well to ask Mr. Joyce to give us a sample of the spirit that he uses before the essential oils are added, but I thought it might be asking too much. 184. Mr. Duthie (to Mr. Hustwick).] In the rectifying of methylated spirit it is supposed the naphtha is removed, but they tell us that the naphtha is not removed from this rectified spirit that we have here?— This spirit that I hold in my hand? 185. Yes? —It has been destroyed in some way or other, or else its presence would be manifest. 186. What do you mean by " destroyed "? —Decomposed by some chemicals that they use. 187. They say that ihe naphtha is there, but that it is simply deodorised by some ingredient which they put in. A witness illustrated the process by saying it was similar to adding sugar to tea. So far as the smell of the naphtha is concerned it is destroyed, but not the naphtha itself?— That may be. I cannot say for certain, because lam in ignorance of the process that has been used. 188. Then, you have no knowledge of this spirit that has been treated? —I have no knowledge of it. I never saw a sample of it till yesterday. I know it has been done, but Ido not know how. 189. There is no evidence from the Customs, you being their witness, as to the condition of that liquid that you have there—you offer no evidence as to how far that liquid has been altered ? 190. The Acting-Chair man.] That is, as to the destruction of the naphtha?—l know it has been altered so that it could be used where before the alteration it could not be used. 191. Mr. Duthie.] In what way could it be used now that it could not be used in before? —It could be used now for a variety of purposes, such as making perfumery and flavouring-essences, and it could be used by dishonest publicans for mixing with their genuine liquors. 192. You have not analysed it at all yourself?—No, I have not had an opportunity . 193. Mr. Millar.] You said that this could be used by publicans for mixing with their liquors, and for making cheap essences?— Yes, 194. Have you tasted it? —Oh, yes. 195. Do you mean to say that the wood-naphtha in that would not be detected in any spirit you liked to put it in?—lt could not be detected by taste or smell. 196. Not by taste?—No, I am sure. 197. Have you as a chemist ever heard of anj, - known commercial processes whereby the taste of wood-naphtha could be taken out of methylated spirit?—Oh, yes. That was done years ago in England until the law stopped it. 198. It could be done commercially?— Yes. 199. Do you know of any place where it is done now?— No. 200. Would you be surprised if I showed you an extract from one of the scientific magazines stating that there is a fortune awaiting the man who can take the taste out of methylated spirit ?— Yes, I should be rather surprised. 201. Well, I can. You say you do not know this process?—l do not know this individual process. 202. Do you know any process for clearing methylated spirit?— Yes; I know the process that was used in England years ago. 203. I suppose you know that chlorine gas will clear it? —No. 204. Do you know that the Scientific American published that statement six years ago?— No. 205. Well, it did?— Yes. 206. Would you with your knowledge as a chemist say that if a gallon of this [Sample indicated] were put into a hogshead of rum the wood-naphtha would not be tasted?—lt could not be tasted ; I am quite sure. 207. Do you know the only thing done to that spirit [Indicated] is to take away the smell of the mineral naphtha ?—I know that is done, but how it is done Ido not pretend to say at the present time. 208. One method of doing it was shown in the Scientific American: by the passing of chlorine gas through methylated spirit the smell of the mineral naphtha is killed;" and by another process the chlorine gas is extracted from the spirit?— Yes. I have not seen that. 209. You say this [Sample indicated] could be used for flavouring-essences?— Yes. 210. What sort of flavouring would kill the taste of the wood-naphtha?— The presumption is that the wood-naphtha has been practically destroyed in that. 211. But the presumption is absolutely wrong. You will find by the taste of it that the woodnaphtha has not been destroyed. The taste of it is there, and is just as strong as it is in the other sample? —I have tasted the two. To me there is a great difference in the taste. 212. You know the ordinary bottles of essence that are sold for domestic purposes?— Yes. 213. Assuming that they were made entirely of that spirit that you have there, what quantity of flavouring-essence would be required to kill the taste of the naphtha in that?— About 1 part to 10, 12, or 15 parts. 214. Will you try that as an experiment, and let us taste the essence afterwards?—l can do that with the quantity that is left in this bottle that I hold' in my hand. It is a weak spirit. T do not think it will make a presentable essence until it has stood for some time. 215. You think it might thicken by standing?—lf would gradually clear on standing, I expect, judging by the strength of the spirit. 216. You think the amount of flavour would be the same in that spirit as in the ordinary spirit used for essences?— Yes, I think so—that is, I think a flavouring-essence could be made from this spirit [Indicated] alone. 217. That is what I mean—that spirit alone, with the addition of the ordinary essences that are put in ?—There would be no evidence of naphtha to the taste or smell. 218. Will you try that experiment and let us see the result of it?— Certainly.