308
All the liquors were pleasant to the taste. The colour varied from that of sherry to that of port. 23. The Magistrate decided that these preparations came under the definition of "Intoxicating liquor" laid down in section 2 of The Spirit Licences Ordinance, 1886. An appeal was lodged against this ruling, but the decision of the Magistrate was ultimately upheld.
24. Foreign Liquors.—At the request of the Sanitary Board investigations have been made as to the composition of some of the cheap alcoholic liquors sold in this Colony at 25 cents a reputed quart. It will be seen from the results quoted below that the liquids do not differ in composition, in respect of the particulars stated, from genuine rum and gin.
Description of sample.
Alcoholic strength in degrees under Proof.
Percentage by weight of
Alcohol.
Free acid as acetic acid.
Total solid
matter.
Naval Rum, A+
Gin,
"
B.,
13
42.29
0.0386
0.462
18
39.69
0.0084
0.625
15
41.30
0.0075
0.014
A number of other observations were therefore made with a view to obtaining a more intimat knowledge of the composition of these spirits. A qualitative examination for fusel compound- revealed the fact that but a faint trace existed in the Rums; a notable trace was, however, present in, the Gin.
25. From the evidence taken before a Select Committee of the House of Commons, on British and Foreign Spirits, which sat during the sessions of 1890 and 1891 it appears that 1230 per cent, calculated on the spirit of proof strength, of fusel compounds was the highest result obtained in the Inland Revenue Laboratory in the course of the examination of 51 samples of genuine Whiskey by the process described in Appendix No. 4 to the second report, (Session 1891, p. 132). The specimen of gin alluded to above was found to contain 1398 per cent of similar compounds. Further experi- ments showed that this spirit was the variety known as "Whiskey Gin" prepared by adding to a plain white spirit a suitable quantity of whiskey essence or flavouring.
26. Another examination was made in order to ascertain the presence of furfuraldehyde. The following are the results :-
Liquid.
A. Rum. B.
Whiskey Gin.
Genuine Rum.
Furfuraldehyde.
Trace.
27
None. Present.
27. From the results of the investigation the rums were found to resemble the artificial liquids, found in commerce which are prepared by adding to plain spirit the appropriate flavour. Both appeared to contain some real rum, but they lacked to a great extent the flavour and aroma of the genuine spirit. The original spirit employed in their manufacture appeared to have been carefully rectified. The three samples, speaking generally, could not be declared to contain anything injurious
to health.
Their
28. Two other samples of Rum were examined and found to be adulterated with water, alcoholic strength was 45 and 45.5 degrees under proof, respectively. They did not contain any deleterious substances.
MISCELLANEOUS.
29. Blood stains.-In connection with an enquiry concerning a mutilated body found in the barbour, two articles of clothing were sent to be examined for blood stains. The corpse from which they had been removed had been in the water several days. Negative results were obtained.
30. In a case of alleged murder, 16 articles of clothing were examined for blood stains. The dark coloured matter resembling blood stains was isolated and found to exhibit characters quite distinct from the colouring matter of blood.
31. Counterfeit Coins.-In connection with a charge of circulating counterfeit coins, a number of 20-cent pieces (similar to those of the Canton mint) were forwarded for analysis by the Captain Super- intendent of Police. The coins had a specific gravity of 9.689 and contained 45 22 and 52·90 ̊ per cent of silver and copper, respectively. The specific gravity of a genuine Canton 20-cent piece was found to be 10.264. From information furnished by the Manager of the Canton mint it appears that only 18 per cent. of copper enters into the composition of the 20-cent tokens.