Distilleries

Date: 22 May 1998

From: Gore District oral history project

By: McGowan, Terence Alexander, 1913-2002; Frizzell, Helen Isobel, active 1986-

Reference: OHInt-0428/14

Description: Chappie McGowan was born in Invercargill in 1913. Describes how his father worked at the paper mill for fifty six years. Talks about his mother being Presbyterian, becoming Catholic when she married his father and his parents having strong religious views. Notes they did not oppose alcohol and they and Chappie made home brew. Describes how Mataura was in a `dry' area until prohibition was voted out. Mentions making elderberry wine, parsnip wine and beer. Talks about `Waimahaka swamp juice' and Mr Enright. Mentions Mr Enright's whisky was delivered to the rabbit sheds where he was foreman. Describes heavy fines and jail sentences for making Hokonui whisky. Comments on the role of Customs rather than the police in bringing charges. Discusses the influence of the Depression and the war on the popularity of Hokonui. Contends that people were in it to make money. Describes how Hokonui was sometimes delivered in milk cans and `Waimahaka swamp juice' was delivered by the rabbit lorry. Mentions the closest pub was at Mandeville and locals would hire a taxi to the pub. Interviewer(s) - Helen Frizzell Accompanying material - Photocopies of photos of Chappie as a boy, young man and with his wife Nellie McGowan Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 interview(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2606.

Date: 21 May 1998

From: Gore District oral history project

By: Hill, Ballington Everard Richard, 1926-2011; Frizzell, Helen Isobel, active 1986-

Reference: OHInt-0428/10

Description: Ev Hill was born in Invercargill in 1926. Recalls a close relationship with his father who had a difficult time in World War I and was given a very poor rehab (rehabilitation) farm after the war. Recalls living in a tent on a farm his father bought in Gorge Road. Describes a religious mother who was a Salvation Army officer and head of the local Temperance Union, regular attendance at church and an absence of fun. Recalls the values of `God and the King' passed on by his parents. Mentions that the Mataura Licensing Trust was `dry' until 1954. Recalls having his first drink of Hokonui whisky, made by local supplier Major Gerald Enright (known as the Major or Del), when he was fourteen. Describes Hokonui as the `local moonshine'. Discusses the Major, his farm and stills, amiable relationship with the community, regular attendance at Mass and friends in high places providing petrol coupons. Comments that everyone, including the Inland Revenue department and the police, knew about the Major's activities. Explains how he became a driver for the Major from 1941-1942 because he wanted a motorcar. Describes how the Major bought him a 1934 Chevrolet for which he worked, doing deliveries of Hokonui around Southland, Otago and Christchurch, until the car was paid off. Notes he worked for him for about a year. Describes the smell of cooking the mash for the alcohol and the process of distilling it. Discusses his delivery routes, safe houses, the excise men, a network of informants and an incident when he transported Constable Bandy to an accident when the car was full of Hokonui. Mentions the Major was later prosecuted. Comments on the legacy of Hokonui. Interviewer(s) - Helen Frizzell Accompanying material - Copy of photo of Lilly, Priscilla and Ruth Wilson ca 1917, Invercargill; copy of newspaper article `Prohibition runner recalls the rush' Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2602.

Date: 30 May 1961

From: Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs

Reference: WA-55419-G

Description: Aerial photograph taken by Whites Aviation. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Glass negative, 4.75 x 6.5 inches

Date: 1944

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

By: Ledgerwood, John Herbert, 1908-1959

Reference: DA-10464-F

Description: Unidentified group with their secret distillery at Stalag 18A, a German prisoner of war camp in Wolfsberg, Austria, circa 1944. Photograph taken by John H Ledgerwood. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

Date: 1950s

From: [Ephemera of octavo sizes relating to alcohol and alcoholic beverages and drink, in New Zealand]

Reference: Eph-A-ALCOHOL-1940s-01

Description: Label for a bottle of "Old Hokonui" whiskey shows a skull and crossbones. It declares that the drink has "passed all tests except the Police". Date taken from the fact that A P Godber photographed such a label, and he died in 1949. See photograph at PAColl-3039-1-023. Title translation: Therefore let us drink Quantity: 1 b&w art print(s). Physical Description: Relief print on label, 141 x 102 mm. Provenance: Allegedly collected during a police raid on the still during the 1950s. Donor's aunt was a friend of one of the policemen involved in the raid.