“MOONSHINE” WHISKY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 14 June 1926, Page 2

“MOONSHINE” WHISKY.

TEN YEARS OLD. EVIDENCE OF EXTENSIVE TR ADE. Though toi many it will come as a fantastic tale dating from the earny days of New Zealand’s history there is every reason to believe that in certain partis of Southland is hack country, and possibly towards Otago district, there are tstilis producing illicit “moonshine ’ whisky in comparatively large quantities for sale in Invercargill and surrounding districts (says the Otago Daily Times). In fact it is stated by responsible Dunedin citizens that a proportion of tills spirit, distilled in secret recesses of the bush-covered hills, is reaching Dunedin, ai lairge section of the community in Invercargill and other Southland towns. It is common knowledge- that illicit, of “iiTOoiLsiiino’’ -wlliisky exist; in fact tbe spirit is genienadly knowai as “Hokonui brand,’’' because of a 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 hy the magistrates in Invercargill of distilling Whisky in that locality. All who have knowledge of the existence of this romantic but illegal trade are of opinion that there were many who kept beyond reach of the law when the last arrests were made, and the fact that “moonshine” whisky has appeared in Invercargill since that time leads colour to the opinion. Samples of the whisky, are in Dunedin. to-day, regular supplies may reach the city, and, in the opinion, of those who hold the samples, supplies do- reach Dunedin. A Dunedin business man turned to a cupboard and produced a plain bottle of colourless whisky. “This,” be said, “is ‘moonshine’ whisky from Southland. I have had it tested hy -an expert, who pronounced it mediocre quality grain whisky. It had, -according to the expert, 'been matured for ten years, the- fact that points to- large supplies o-f spirit being in existence. The -sample is- a particularly good one as fair as ‘moonshine’ whisky goes, and. if blended carefully would mix with other whisky from overseas with satisfactory results. But there are other samples which I have seen that -are greatly inferior in quality. Most of the samples -are white, but it is -a-n easy matter to colour -spirits with burnt sugar, -and I believe that some supplies are coloured. It is not- altogether the amount of whisky that these- illicit distillery -.sell. lam quite prepared to. admit that, in comparison with regular legal sales in hotels- that amount is very small, but it is the injury that these- bad whiskies, either pure or blended, may do to the public that has to be considered.”