432 . 
EXTRACTS FROM MINUTES OF EVIDENCE 
Mr. Peter Catterall: Confine yourself to asking questions now. We will hear your 
statement by-and-by. 
Defendant: He has just now said it is treacled and flavoured; before he said it 
was treacle and methylated spirit. There is not a drop of methylated spirit in it ex¬ 
cept what there is in methylated nitre.—(To Mr. Harkness): Do you say there is no 
methylated nitre in it ?—Mr. Harkness: There is not a particle.—Defendant: I suppose 
you are aware that these articles are sold up and down ?—Mr. Harkness: They are 
to a great extent.—Defendant: That’s very true. I suppose you are aware that several 
chemists have been called up by the Excise authorities ?—Mr. Harkness: Several have 
been called up for selling without a licence.—Defendant: I was of, and knew nothing 
at all about these matters. The person who brought the summons said that I had 
better go and settle it. I was not aware of having done anything wrong. (To Mr 
Harkness): What did you say the whiskee was made of ?—Mr. Harkness: Methy¬ 
lated spirit, sweetened with sugar ; or, if you would have it plainer, methylated spirit, 
water, and sugar.—Defendant: Is there any quinine in it?—Mr. Harkness: I can¬ 
not say. I did not test it for quinine, though I can do so here in five minutes, if 
you wish.—Defendant: Quinine costs a great deal a pound. There are spirits of 
nitre, paregoric, and tincture of rhubarb, and none of them can be made without 
spirit.—Mr. Harkness (to Mr. Peter Catterall): If you purchase methylated spirit you 
get it about 60 per cent, over proof. In this case it has been reduced to 28 under 
proof. It would kill any one to drink strong methylated spirit. In this instance the 
strength of the methylated spirit has been reduced by water and sugar.—Defendant: 
You say that methylated spirit is only 2s. 9 d. a gallon, but it is more. From what I 
have been told, it is 4s. a gallon, but 1 have not had any myself for years.—Mr. Hark¬ 
ness : I speak from a printed list of prices which I hold in my hand.—Defendant: 4Vell, 
we are not in the habit of buying it, and I can prove that abundantly. You say the 
brandee was flavoured, but you did not say what it was flavoured with.—Mr. Harkness: 
Sugar or treacle is the flavour. I said it was treacle that the brandee contained, but it 
may have been dark brown sugar. I called it treacle because it resembles that more 
than any other thing.—Defendant: You said it was coloured, but that is a mistake. It 
is not coloured at all.—Mr. Harkness: It is here for any one to see that it is coloured.— 
Defendant: I am prepared to prove that there is no methylated spirit in it. 
Mr. Watson : That is the case. 
The defendant again denied his having had any methylated spirit on his premises for 
the last six or seven years, and repeated that his “ Brandee ” was made from methylated 
nitre; he wished for a remand, that he might prove what he had stated; but this the 
Court refused, seeing the defendant had had ten days’ notice for the purpose of being 
prepared with a defence, and yet had not called a single witness. 
After a short consultation the Bench decided that the case was proved, and inflicted a 
fine of £12. 10s. on the first case, and £25 on the second case, but they were willing to 
recommend that the second penalty be reduced to one-half. The recommendation of the 
Bench was accordingly conveyed to the authorities at Somerset House, and the proceed¬ 
ings terminated. 
EXTRACTS FROM MINUTES OF EVIDENCE GIVEN BEFORE THE 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE CHEMISTS AND DRUGGISTS BILL. 
(Continued from page 72.) 
Mr. John Simon, examined. 
Chairman.'} 374. You heard the evidence given by Dr. Taylor ?—I heard a great 
part of it. 
375. Do you agree in the opinion he Iras given as to the necessity of legislation, and 
the suggestions he has given to the Committee ?—I think it very expedient, and indeed 
necessai’y for the public safety, that there should be some sort of legislation; and ex¬ 
pedient the legislation should be mainly in the direction that he ha 3 suggested I can¬ 
not say legislation is equally necessary on all points. 
