HORSE ACTS AS GUIDE

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 189, 9 May 1934, Page 10

HORSE ACTS AS GUIDE

Police Search For Whisky Still SOUTHLAND CHARGES By Telegraph.—Press Association. Invercargill, May S. What according to the Crown Prosecutor was probably the first ease of its kind to come before a common jury occupied the attention of Mr. Justice Kennedy in the Supreme Court to-day. when William Allan Alexander Mcßae and his son, William Robertson McRae, both of Dunsdalc, farmers, were charged with being concerned in unlawfully making spirits. Accused pleaded not guilty. Hugh Sherwood Cordery, Collector of Customs and inspector of distilleries for Southland, gave evidence that in February last he visited the locality of accused’s property, accompanied by Sergeant Abel and Constable Nesbit, and found the illicit still in question. ’ He said that Constable Murphy found a three-gallon keg containing an ounce or two of liquor, which on being tested gave the characteristic test of "Hokonui” whisky. Witness referred to a further visit to the farm, and related that they had obtained the loan of a horse which, when given its head, led them into the bush. Witness mounted the horse, which took them to an old tent in the bush roughly half a mile from the still. Sergeant Abel then took a seat on the mare, and it walked to an abandoned site 20 yards away, which did not appear to have been used during the past two years or so. There was a very marked resemblance between that still and the new one. After leaving the old still, the mare, with Sergeant Abel riding her. went straight to a tree by the new still and stopped there.

Senior-Sergeant Packer stated in evidence that Mcßae, senr., said he knew nothing of the still, and would give £2O if one were found on his property. After further evidence on behalf of the Crown had been heard, the hearing was adjourned till to-morrow.