The Waihi Still.

Thames Star, Volume XLV, Issue 10608, 7 January 1909, Page 2

The Waihi Still.

FUiRffHEE DETmiILS.

I Tina discovery and arrests as made by the police caused a sensation in W-aibi, especially 'when -t became known: that both, accused were fairly well-known, in the district. Inspector Kiely, of the Thames, who i* aUk* an. .nspector under the Distillation Act, 1908, •aiirived in Waihi, and immediately laid an Information and iproquired a search warrant. In the afternoon, in. company with Sergeant" MjaKinnom and (.■oiistaibles Dricoli, Ciumniicgs, and M les, he .proceeded to the residence of a niHtti named Maidens, in S'ta.fford.street, Waihi East, and arrived., there about-a quarter to five o'clock. On ' arrival they tried the door of the ' wash-house, -which afterwards proved to be the distillery, but found it fasi tened from the inside. The inspector, without ferther ceremony, kickeithe door openl, and the police party then entered. They found two men—-Wil: Maun Ohirlstopher Maidens (owner of the premises), and William Alfred Ln'iak-T-insjidei. The" still was fully charged, and distilling operations had evidently been started^ i information, was worthy of at tent.on, that he was an inspector under the Distillation Act, and: that 'hei had cams pirepmired w'th a search ■warrant, a,nd proceeded to search the place. The police party seized a. still full of material for nuuiiufafcturing 1 whisky, also a hogshead containing at the time about 38 "jallon® of feirmeraf.ng liquid,' and all other distillation utensils for making whisky. The plant 'ncluded some small empty two and three-gallon kegs. The police are of the. opinion, from general appearances, that the still had been running | for some time. The plant when gathered together filled a large oart. I We learn from Inspector Klely tbat Sergealnt MjdKLinniOin, of the Waihi sub- ' district, first acquainitetd him of the fact that he had: strong suspicions an illic'.t still was installed on ! the premises of Maidens. That was J about a month ago, amd the inspector, after making further inquiries, came.! to the conclusion 1, that the.Sergeant's informiitvon was worthy of aetention, 1 and 1 from that time until the arrest I the local polioe haive beeq, closely ; watchdinig 1 the siuspected' premises. j When thoroughly satisfied that a still was there, a definite move was then made and action taken as aibove.