WHISKY FOR AMERICA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18348, 14 March 1923, Page 9

WHISKY FOR AMERICA.

A SMUGGLED CARGO.

REMARKABLE STORY.

PROFIT OF £60,000 MADE.

[from our own correspondent.] SYDNEY, March 8. A story from a reliable source is being circulated in Sydney that last year 29,000 cases of whisky were shipped in one- cargo from Sydney to the United States. After the whisky had been landed and sold the vessel was seized by the United States customs authorities and nothing was found on board; the ship was compensated heavily, and then discharged. A syndicate of six Sydney men is said to have made a profit of £60,000. Spirits which were bought here at 3s a bottle in bond changed hands on the other side at 25s and more. The whole scheme was carefully planned. One day last year a man, presumably an American, called at the, office of one of Sydney's leading wholesale whisky merchants and surprised him by asking exactly how much whisky he had in stock. As soon as he was told, the American promptly offered to take the lot. There were 29,000 cases, delivery was taken, and the money paid immediately. The American inquired about other spirits, and also beer and wine. As the merchant traded in whisky alone, the American requested that he should be introduced to those who could supply other liquors. A few days later an auxiliary schooner sailed quietly out with a full cargo of whisky. The American and the Sydney man were dining together some time later, when the latter learned for the first time the destination of the cargo. ' ' The American told a story that sounded like an old-time smugglers' yarn. The ship, he said, was bound for a little obscure port in the United States. Only one or two customs officials were there. The customs men were not millionaires, and. after all, whisky-running, the American said, was winked at everywhere. The ship would enter the port in broad daylight. Everything would be ready, and a fleet, of fast lorries would be waiting. There would be quick discharge, and the whisky would be landed safely in the United States.