ROBYN PARKES
Sly grog selling - the illicit selling of alcohol where the sellers often exploited the demand for alcohol by inflating the price to make a profit.
When John Etheridge, master of the ketch Argus, was charged with sly grog selling to men at Puponga on 24 April 1910, evidence was given by Able Seaman Callaway that he saw bottles of beer being sold all day on a Sunday, in twos and half dozen, to miners and others who visited the ketch.
There was also a report that Etheridge had purchased ale and then sold it on to miners, again making a profit.
The evidence was, however, contradicted, and further hearings were held at Collingwood the following week (22 June).
Seaman Callaway, having expressed his view of it being illegal, was ordered off the ship and stated that he had later been threatened by Etheridge if the case went against him, again denied by the Master.
Witnesses were able to corroborate that the event took place, but stated that it was like something out of a comic book, with Callaway saying he would buy a gun to take care of himself.
Etheridge stated he had purchased ale in Nelson at the request of the miners, sailed to Puponga and passed it onto them, they in return repaying him for the amount of the ale.
In the case of the second event in selling ale, Etheridge stated that it was captain’s stores for his own use.
It was suspected that this was not the first time that Etheridge had carried and sold ale illegally, but that it was first time he had been caught.
At Collingwood, the Magistrate reserved his decision while Police made more enquires into the threat to Callaway.
Defence argued that there was no evidence of a sale within the meaning of the Act and the Master had simply purchased ale from Nelson for the residents of Puponga, acting as an agent.
The Magistrate reserved his decision to study on the point as to whether the carrying of the case of beer, and the selling of the same at Puponga, amounted to an illegal sale under the Act.
In summing up the case it was believed that what Callaway had reported was true, that there had been a sale of ale by Etheridge, who had made a profit, showing that he was illegally trafficking liquor. He stated that it was absurd to say that the case of six dozen ale was captain’s stores on a small boat like the Argus, which was only making a short run.
It had not only been shown that there was a traffic in ale, but the evidence indicated that the owners of the vessel were aware of it and allowed it to carry on.
Facing two charges of selling sly grog, Etheridge was found guilty on the first charge and received a heavy fine of £15, with costs of £1 11sh, and guilty on the second charge, being fined £10 with costs of £2 10s.
