The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1895-05-14
GUARDING A WHISKY FORTRESS
The Precautions Taken in England
to Secure Payment of Duty.


1t may be truthfully asserted that
there are few places on the face OF
the earth which are guarded with
the unceasing diligence and the con-
slant watchfulness bestowed upon a
whisky fortress. The many millions
OF pounds which every year fall into
the national purse from the duty on
spirits, and the paramount neces-
sity OF jealousy nursing such
fruitful source OF revenue, have re-
suited in the establishment OF a sys-
tenn OF inspection which appears to
be as perfect as human brain can de-
wise. .
In order that the readers of Tit
Bits may gather some idea OF the
value Of whisky from a fiscal point
Of view, it will be sufficient to state
that the duty on = single large cask
OF the spirit will amount to as much
as seventy or eighty pounds.
These casks are stored by the hun
bred in huge warehouses, Of which
by far the larger proportion are
situated in Scotland and Ireland.
We propose to relate few OF the
extraordinary precautions which are
practised to defend these strong.
holds against the attacks OF the
enemy.
To do this more efectuslly, we
will imagine ourselves as forming
part Of an invading army, intending,
il possible, to carry the fortress by
assault, or, that failing, to accom-
plish our purpose by stratagem.
Let us reconnoitre.
The object Of our attack is a solid
stone building, surrounded by high
wall. Every window is fortified by
solid iron bars, deeply fixed in the
masonry. Behind these bars comes
. further protection in the shape OF
strong iron netting. So fine are the
meshes, that it is impossible to in
sert even the little finger. Every
opening in the walls is similarly
guarded,
The door is equally secure. A
heavy iron bar stretches across the
portals; it is carefully locked and
bolted. Let us take peep through
the grating. As far as the eye can
reach in the dimly lighted interior
arise row upon row OF casks. Each
tier consists of three different sizes,
piled one on top OF the other. The
largest casks, each containing about
100 gallons, are placed at the bottom.
Above these is imposed a second
row OF about half the size, and a.!
the top a third series OF still smaller
ones. Her Majesty's Government
will draw 100000 from the contents
Of this one building alone.
Presently a sentry comes along
jingling a huge bunch Of keys. He
unlocks the door, and takes his
stand in front of it. He is forbid
den to leave his post under pain Of
dismissal, Lynx eyed and watchful,
he scans everybody aud everything
that approaches the gate OF his eta
del He takes most,minute account
Of every barrel that enters or leaves
the premises.
To keep these sentries up to their
work a staff Of superior officers is
maintained, whose duty it is, by
making calls at all manner OF unex-
pected times, to see that the regula-
tons are strictly observed.
But this is not all Lest both Of
ficer and sentry should fail to exer,
else due diligence, a third line OF de,
fence has been established. This
consists OF higher grade Of travel
ing officials who make sudden and
unannounced visits at all hours Of
the day and night.
In addition to these safeguards
there is an ingenious system Of locks
and labels, by which any attempt t.
tamper with iastenings can be un
erringly discovered, Extraordinary
precautions are taken to preserve
the keys Of the fortress, the sentr,