ILLICIT STILL SEIZURE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8125, 23 March 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

ILLICIT STILL SEIZURE.

The police on March 8 made an important capture at Waitohi Downs. It appears that the police had been for some time suspicious, and on Tuesday morning, at 2 o'clock. Inspector Broham, Detective Kirby, Sergeant Livingston, and Constable Stanley started from Timaru to the Upper Waitohi Downs, which they reached about daylight, and where they found Joseph and James Mathews and James Bill, whom they at once arrested. On the premises they found a 50 gallon sheet iron still, without a top; in the loft, six wooden casks, one tub, and two jars full of a liquid which appeared to be whiskey. TIMABU, Mabch 9. The three men arrested yesterday at Waitohi, charged with illicit distillation, were this morning charged at the hesident Magistrate's Court, under section 111 of “The Distillation Act, 1868," with being in possession of a still. Inspector Broham applied for a remand till Monday, to enable him to work up the case. Mr Hay, for accused, offered no opposition, but asked for bail, which, when the Magistrate had satisfied himself of the fitness of the two securities who were forthcoming, was granted, in two sureties each of .£250. Great credit is due to the police for having long watched the district. The journey over the rugged country, on an empty stomach, was a severe test. On reaching the house and placing the accused under surveillance, the Inspector and Detective Kirby started on a four hours’ tramp after the plant, which was found concealed in a remote part. The accused are all men of property and means. At the Timaru B.M. Court on March 21, in ccnufct : oa with the above case, James Matthews was fined .£IOO. Joseph Matthews and James Bill were discharged.