THE GOLLAN’S VALLEY STILL.
The hearing of the charges against the four brothers Cameron in connection with the still at Gollan’s Valley was continued before Mr Martin, S.M., yesterday. Mr Gully appeared for the Collector of Customs, and Mr Skerrett and Mr Wilford for the defendants.
D. McKellar, Collector of Customs, recalled, said he had visited the locality on Monday this week, and described a track which led from the still close by Allan Cameron’s house on the beach. It really formed a short cut from the beach to the still, but was only fitted for foot passengers to travel by.
To Mr Skerrett: It was difficult to find and overgrown in places. The bush had no doubt been travelled by cattle.
Thomas Grant, recalled, also gave evidence as to the nature of the tracks above mentioned.
Edmund Hayes, carpenter, said he was a partner of Mr Casey, the hotelkeeper at the Lower Hutt. Witness owned a horse and cart, which was kept a short distance from the Hutt. He knew the four defendants, and had built a house for Hugh Cameron. Tin piping was used in the construction, about 1½ or 2 inches. The piping produced was the same size and kind as he used. Red pine, totara, and some matai were used in the construction of the house.
He declined to say whether he had been up the road through the Camerons’ stockyard. He had never sold any articles of merchandise for them, and never bought anything from them except a cow. He declined to say whether he had any knowledge of any article sold by the Camerons, as it might incriminate him.
He knew Nash, formerly licensee of the Tramway Hotel, but did not know of any liquor having been supplied to him. He declined to say whether he knew of any spirits having been supplied to that hotel, for the same reason as he had refused to answer previous questions.
He had been speaking to the Camerons before this case commenced. They had made no statements to him with reference to carrying on the still, and nothing connected with the still had been mentioned in his presence. He declined to say whether the still had been mentioned by either of the defendants before proceedings were taken. The witness was not cross-examined.
James Galvin, farmer, said he had only known the Camerons recently. He had had no business relations with them, and had had nothing to do with the sale of spirits coming from them within the last twelve months. He had taken no orders for any spirits. He admitted he had not a good memory.
He had been carting produce in from the Hutt, and selling it in Wellington. He knew nothing about the sale of the Gollan’s Valley whisky, and did not know such a thing was being made there until he saw it stated in the papers. This witness also was not cross-examined.
Michael Myers, clerk in the office of Bell, Gully and Izard, said he had had charge of a civil summons against H. and C. Cameron. Judgment was entered up against them, and Allan Cameron paid him with a cheque for £18 2s 6d, saying Levin and Co. had already been paid. He also said the goods were his.
George Anderson, in the employment of Levin and Co. produced the delivery book of the firm. In August, 1893, a quantity of potatoes, oats and sugar, were delivered to Allan Cameron. In November, 1893, a 200-gallon tank was delivered to Allan Cameron, by whom it was ordered. On the same date seven bags of sugar were delivered, together with some hops. On December 6, 1893, eight bags of sugar were delivered, and on 14th December another eight bags.
To Mr Skerrett: Twenty-two out of the 25 bags of sugar were brown sugar, ordinarily used for cooking purposes.
Karl Locher, manufacturer’s agent, said he first went to Gollan’s Valley about a year ago, and the last time about two days after the still was discovered. He saw a square iron tank there. He took a quantity of the liquor away with him. He went there because he thought he would like to see the place. (Laughter.)
He lived at the Taita. He had not spoken to the Camerons before going out there. He was riding, and rode right into the still. He had never been there before, and had only heard of the existence of the still when he saw it stated in the papers. He simply went there out of curiosity. He thought there was a complete apparatus for carrying on a still.
Since he had been subpoenaed the Camerons had told him they knew nothing about the still. On his way out there he told Allan Cameron, whom he met, that he was going to see the still, and Cameron said, “You will easily find it; follow the track.”
To Mr Skerrett: He was not connected with the still at all.
Mr Gully said he had to call Mrs Cameron, the mother of the defendants, who was not in attendance, and the hearing was consequently further adjourned until Friday next at noon, defendants being liberated on the same bail as before.
