When my Grandfather died several years ago I found and old copy of 'The Buteman and West Coast Chronicle' from Friday 18 March 1927 in its 73rd year and issue number 3757. A STILL IN A STORE Rothesay Italian Fined £50 The gallery of Rothesay Sheriff Court was filled with interested spectators on Wednesday during the four hours' hearing of the chase in which George William Knott officer of Customs and Excise, Greenock, charged Pietro Bonaccorsi, 17 Montague Street, Rothesay, and his brother, Umberto Bonaccorsi, 83 Montague Street, Rothesay, with having (1) in a store at 12 Store Lane, occupied by Umberto, had a still for distilling spirits, contrary to the Spirits Act, 1880, whereby they were liable to a fine of £500; (2) time and place aforesaid, with keeping a still without taking out a licence as required by the Still Licensing Act of 1846, whereby they were liable to a penalty of £50. The charges were taken separately, Mr Hepburn defending Pietro, and Mr Maclagan appearing for Umberto. Pietro pleaded not guilty. A Perfect Still Mr Knott, the first witness, said he was in charge of No. 2 District, including Bute, and was thoroughly acquainted with the construction and use of stills. Mr McAuslan told witness he suspected illicit distillation in Rothesay, so a search warrent was obtained, and a search made on 10th January. The premises visited were Pietro's house at 17 Montague Street, the two shops in Watergate, and the store in Store Lane occupied by Umberto; a shop at 4 Bridge Street, also occupied by Umberto; and two shops at 12 and 14 Gallowgate. The only illegal thing they found was the still, what was in the place at Store Lane. There was some delay in getting the key. The store was divided into three compartments. In one of the rear places Mr McAuslan handed witness the body and worm of a still. Umberto, who was present, said this belonged to his brother Pietro, as did also some restaurant utensils which had been lying in the store for years. Witness showed the court how the still was! operated, and said it was the most perfect still he had found. Its capacity would be about one gallon, and the quantity of spirits that could be turned out at one time would be half a pint the still had evidently been used because it contained a brownish sediment which was found even in lawful distillation. Mr Hepburn - Could this still be used for distilling water? No, it is too dirty. Continuing his evidence Mr Knott said the stills he found in other cases had capacities from 11/2 to 3 gallons. He did not thinkg the still in this case would be a paying commercial proposition. "See Mr Hepburn" Mr W.A. McAuslan, the Rothesay Customs and Excise Officer, said he overheard a remark by Mr J.W. Campbell about Italians talking about whiskey. He followed Pietro and some other Italians into Mr Harvey's public house one day, and listened to their conversation. It was in Italian, but the words "whisky" and "wash" were mentioned. A search was arranged, and witness, on going with Mr Knott and policemen to the store, found the still on a shelf, which he reached by standing on a barrel. Witness was told Pietro Bonaccorsi got the still from Pat Shields, pier porter. This man, when asked if the allegation was true, said, "Oh, I'll have to see Mr Hepburn." Next day, however, Shields send a letter denying any knowledge of the still. Mr J.W.Campbell, spirit merchant, 30 Bishop Street, corroborated about his remark to Mr McAuslan. Sergt. Gunn and Constable Hyndman gave evidence of the search. Mr Harvey, spirit merchant, Bute Mansions, spoke of the Italians conversing in his shop about "whisky" and "wash." Pietro Bonaccorsi made an accusation against Angelo Barbi about giving away information. Barbi in evidence corroborated Mr Harvey. Mr Andrew Clark, of the Burgh Chamberlain's Office, said Umberto Bonaccorsi was the tenant of the store at 12 Store Lane. Mrs Keith, 8 Montague Street, said Umberto was also tenant of the shop at 23 Watergate. Deputy Chief Constable David gave evidence that he bought a tin that morning in the Buttercup Dairy shop for 2d. This was exactly similar to the tin which was used as the body of the still. Colestino Bonaccorsi denied any knowledge of the use of the "tins" (the still). He was going to throw them out when Pietro said they belonged to Pat Shields. Umberto Bonaccorsi said he saw the still in the store, about three months ago, but he did not know who put it there or that it was illegal. The still was never used. Chased out of House Pietro, in the box, said that Pat Shields had asked him to store the tins as Mrs Shields had "chased him out of the house" with them. Witness did not know till after "the great raid" that the appliance was illegal, and had he known it could make whisky he would have tried it, for the sake of making money. (Laughter). As regards speaking in public houses, witness said he opened his mouth too wide when he "got a half". He never made whisky, but he drank plenty. (Laughter.) Accused said he was "just a putty joiner," but as good as any in Rothesay. Sheriff Ballingall found Pietro guilty, and Mr Grant, the Fiscal, dropped the charge against Umberto. Mr Hepburn, while speaking for Pietro, remarked that it was 100 years ago since there was a still case in Rothesay. Sheriff Ballingall said one object of the prosecution was to act as a warning to others. This was a serious charge - £50 or 60 days imprisonment. One month allowed to pay. This story was of interest to me as my Great Grandfather was Pat Shields the pier porter and growing up I had heard a story about him having an illicit still and selling it to the Bonaccorsi's shortly before customs and excise came to the island as his wife didnt like him having it. Which version is true we may never know. Joanne Cowie