The Illicit Distillation Cases.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4563, 8 December 1882, Page 4

The Illicit Distillation Cases.

■»■ [Br Tbibgbaph.] [7BOH OUB OWN COBBBSPONDBWT.] WELLINGTON, Dbo. 7. The disclosures made during the progress of the illicit distillation cases in the Besident Magistrate's Court have cauied quite a sensation here. Tho evidence tended to show that in addition to the still which has jußt been seized by the police in the neighbourhood of Porirua, about 15 miles from town, there is at least another set of apparatus used for distilling purposes undiscovered in the same looality, while the polioo authorities seem to entortain a firm oonviotion that several other illicit stills have been in active opention within a short radius of tho city for a considerable time past. The authorities decline to indicate the source of the information by means of which they secured the recent convictions. In this no doubt they are right, for to declare the name of the informer would bo to diminish the chances of further discovery in the samo direction. Tho following, however, is by no means an improbable solution of the mystery : — Some months ago an anonymous communication was receivod by a member of the Police Foroe, stating that certain porsons were in the habit of oonveying regulurly into town quantities of whiskey, on which do duty had been paid. The author of thiß communication may hare been a person actuated by motives of revenge. The offloo of a certain commission agent was closely watched, and owing to circumstances that transpired, this individual was made an instrument in the hands of the polico for the purpose of obtaining further evidence, which resulted in an under-bailiff of the fiesident Magistrate's Court being also implicated. The latter, it is believed, revealed the looality of the still, and accompanied several members of the force to the hiding place where the apparatus was found, minus the worm. The fines imposed on the individuals concerned in the manufacture and disposal of the whiskoy amount to £400. After deducting the expenses of the proseoution from this sum, one half of the balance will be distributed among the persons •btaining the conviction, in a proportion to be decided by the Government. The participators will include Sergeants Anderson and Ellison, and Constables Ohristie and Ironsides. Mr Shaw, who appoared for the defendants in the various cases, slated that he bad in his possession a list of about a dozen Wellington publioans who had been in the habit of receiving illicit whiskey. These publicans are probably shaking in their shoes just now, for fear the list may be published, and it is not unlikely that they will willingly consent to contribute their quota towards paying the fines in order to escape exposure.

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