"MOONSHINE."

ILLICIT STILLS IN SOUTHLAND. HOKONUI HILLS SUSPECTED. (SPECIAL xo era sxsisji DTJNEDIN, June- 9. Though to many it will come as a fantastio tale,- dating from the early days of New Zealand's history, there is every reason to believe that in certain part* of the back country of Southland, and possibly toward* the Otago district, there are stalls jfcpducingillicit "moonshine" whisky in comKratively large quantities for .sale ui vercargill, and surrounduig districts (says the '*Otago Daily Times'V In fact, if is stated by responsible Dunedin citiaens that a .proportion of this spirit, distilled in lie secret reoepscs of bußh-covered hills, is reaching Dunedin. .. To a large section of the community in Inveroargill, and othe/; Southland towns, it is common knowledge that illicit supplies of "moonshine 7 ' whisky exist. In fact, the spirit u generally known as "Hokonui brand,' because of the widespread belief that it is distilled somewhere in the hills of that name. This belief is strengthened by the fact that within the last two years men have been found guilty by the Mamstrate in Inveroargill of distilling whisky in that locality. All who'have knowledge of existence of, this risky and illegal trade are of opinion that there wwe many who kept beyond reach of the law when the last afreets were made, and the fact that "moonshine" whisky haa appeared in Intor. cargill since that time lends colour to the opinion. , __ Samples of this whisky are in Dunedin to-day. Regular supplies m may reach the city, and in the opinion or those who hold samples, supplies, do reach Dunedin. A Dunedin business man turned to a cupboard and produced a plain bottle of whit* colourless, whisky. "This," he said, "is moonshine whisky from Southland." I have had it tested by an expert from overseas, who pronounced it mediocre quality grain whisky. It had, according $p the expert, been matured for 10 yean £-a fact that points ,ta the large supplies of the spirit being in eoostenes 1 . The sample is a particnJarly good 'One as moonshine whisky .goes, sad if blended carefully would pix with other whisky from overseas with satisfactory results. But there are other samples which £ have seen that are gfeatlv inferior in quality; Most samples are white, but It is an easy matter to colour spirits with burnt sugar, and,J believe that some supplies are coloured. It is not altogether the amount of whisky thai these iffleffe distillers sSIK I am quite prepared to admit thai},, in comparison with-regular legal saleSiin hotels the amount Is vSiy«r»fl~out tf is Se injury thafr'thssef bad window, either pure, or Mended, ""■?,%"** £ublio that 1 has to, he considered."