A Horse Leads the Police

Manawatu Times, Volume LIX, Issue 7459, 9 May 1934, Page 7

A Horse Leads the Police

Discovery of Alleged Illegal Still

FATHEIi AND SON CHAIiGLD

Ter Press Association,

INVERCARGILL, Last Night,

What according to the Crown Prosecutor was probably the first case 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 Dnnsdale, farmers, were charged with being concerned in unlawfully making spirits. Accused pleaded not guilty. Hugh Sherwood Cordery, Collector of Customs and Inspector of Distilleries lor Southland, gave evidence that, in February last, he visited the locality of accused’s property, accompanied by Sergeant Abel and Constable Ncsbit,

and found an illicit still. He said that Constable Murphy found a three-gallon keg containing an ounce of liquor which, on being tasted, gave the characteristic test of “Hokoimi” 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 ffien took his seat on the marc 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, sehr., 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.