FORGING LIQUOR LABELS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2162, 12 February 1891, Page 1

FORGING LIQUOR LABELS.

Brisbane, February 2. Some important disclosures bare been ‘ made within tbe past few days, which show that for months past in Brisbane commercial frauds by means of forged labe a have been carried on. Tbe frauds are of a most impudent and barefaced character, and, as far as the discoveries at present go, arc in respect to some leading brands of spin's and beers. The first intimation tbe public had that fraudulent practices were being carried on was tbe appearance of an advertise* raent from M. D. Foster and Sons, Limited, of London, the well-known bottlers of ale and stout. The advertisement whs signed by Mr W, Batchio, the Sydney director of M. D. Poster and Sons, Limited, offering a reward of £25 for information respecting spurious beer orstou'. Suspicions bad been aroused by a recent supposed shipment of Poster’s ale and stout of inferior quality. The agents in were changed bat without beneficial result, and Mr Batebin tbe Sydney director, visited Brisbane and put on a skilled detective. This resulted iu an engraver named Dodd visiting tbe representative of Messrs Poster and Son. After a lengthened conversation he produced a written confession, stating that he bad engraved on a copper plate a fac simile of Foster and Sons and Bass’ labels. He stated that ne bad done tbe work under instructions. He was not aware that there was anything fraudulent in tbe matter, but thought that bis principals were acting on behalf of tbe proprietors of the labels or tbeir representatives. Dodd was taken before (he Police Magistrate, and this confession was pro. perly recorded. The solicitors in charge of the case have now full information respecting the whole of the operations, and criminal proceedings are initiated against those concerned in it. It is stated that bottling was done in a cellar in the city. The beer used' was well known English draught beer, and the details of the process of working it up will form edifying if not over-pleasant reading when published. One glance at the mode of operations will suffice tor tbe present. Tbe draught beer was pul into a ten-gallon vat, and a large lump of fresh meat thrown into it. The meat was left in sufficiently long to impart tbe flavor which is so desirable in bottled ale. Other well-known liquor lake's have been forged in tbe same way, including some of the leading whiskies, It is also stated that the persons involved in tbe fraud are not alone those who printed the labels and bottled the beer, but that several well-known people in tbe liquor business are to be inc'uded in the prosecution.