Section 776 in Rules under the United Provinces Excise Act, 1910
776. Observation and mode of taking sample for analysis.
- Great care must be taken that no sugar, salt or other matter soluble in spirit and heavier than water, is added to the spirit before it is proved so as to effect the action of the hydrometer, or in other words to 'obscure' the strength. If anything of the kind is suspected three samples of the spirit (of about 4 ounces each) should be taken, whereof, one should be sealed and sent for analysis, one sealed and kept under lock and key until the result of the analysis is known, and one sealed and handed over to the distiller or his manager. Each of the three samples should be marked with the same distinctive mark or number and should be dated and be verified by the initials or signature of the officer-in-charge. The officer-in-charge must not in any case make the distiller aware of his intentions to take samples, but he should request the distiller or his manager to be present at the time of taking them, and inform him that the samples are taken for the purpose of examination. These instructions as to the mode of taking samples apply also to cases in which Collectors desire to take samples in order to ascertain whether substance deleterious to health although not such to affect the indications of the hydrometer, are present in spirit.
