Distillation Act 1698

IV. Officer, in the Day-time, and with Constable, may search for private Pipes, &c. and may break up Ground, &c. of any House, &c. into which the same may lead, &c.

And for the better discovering of all such Pipes Stopcocks and other Private Conveyances aforesaid Be it further enacted That from and after the said Eight and twentieth Day of February it shall and may be lawfull to and for the Gaugers and Officers of Excise or any of them in the Day time and in the Presence of a Constable or other lawfull Officer for the Peace (who are hereby required to be aiding and assisting therein) on Request first made and Cause declared to breake up the Ground in any Distilling House or the Ground near adjoyning or any Wall Partition or other Place to search for any such Pipe Stopcock or any other private Conveyance and upon finding such Pipe or other Conveyance to breake up the Ground House Wall or other Partition or Place through or into which any such Pipe or other Conveyance shall lead and to breake up or cutt any such Pipe or other Conveyance and to turne any Cock or Cocks to try and examine whether such Pipe or other Conveyance may or can convey any Wash or other Liquors fitt for Distillation out of one Back or Vessell into another or from any such Back or Vessell into any Still or Stills or into any other Place.