ILLICIT DISTILLATION.

Evening Star, Issue 7167, 22 March 1887, Page 3

ILLICIT DISTILLATION.

The Waitohi illicit still case came before the Police Court at Timaru yesterday, and after a long hearing resulted in the case against Joseph Matthews being dismissed, and against his brother James held fully proved, the Bench fining him LIOO and costs. The evidence to-day was solely for the defence. It was to the effect that a “ still head ’ had been picked up near accused’s farm by a Maori named Roberts, and given to accused’s farm lad, who put it away iu a loft; that the boiler or “ still ” had been left on a farm lately occupied by one Hamilton, who some time ago, it came out, had been fined LIOO for illicit distillation, and that James Matthews, one of the accused, intended to boil pig feed in the “still” for winter feeding. Both accused, when placed in the witness-box, denied all knowledge of distillation. James, amongst other things, said: “ The reason I told the inspector that I knew kuothing of the boiler when really I had got it from Hamilton was that I thought it might criminate me. I had heard a great deal about distilling, but it never occurred to mo that there was any danger until the police came to the house.” Joseph got off because there was not enough evidence to prove that lie constantly resided at the Waitohi farm ; in fact, it was proved that he had not been there more than three times within the past six months. The Bench said there was no doubt of the vessel in Court being intended for a still, and the manner of the accused getting possession of it and keeping it was evidence of guilty knowledge. All the circumstances pointed to the practice of distilling being carried on there, and it was nonsense to suppose all this was done without accused’s knowledge. Mr Hay gave notice of appeal to the District Court, which was allowed, two sureties of LIOO each being required for payment of the fine and costs of appeal.