A TRIVIAL CASE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19179, 9 December 1927, Page 11

A TRIVIAL CASE.

SEQUEL TO SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S RAFFLE. '

[THE PRESS Special Service.]

AUCKLAND, December 8,

.'.When the chairman of the .Grey Lynn School William George Shearer, helped to promote a sale of work which included a raffle or so to raise money for school improvement purposes, little did he think that he would be infringing the law. This morning he appeared on summons before Mr W. R. McKean, S.M'., at the Police Court, pleading guilty to a charge of establishing, a lottery whereby prizes were disposed of by chance and without permission of the Minister for Internal Affairs.

Chief-Detective Cummings said that the . Education Board's architect .had recommended certain improvements to the school grounds at a cost of £4O. Unable to carry out the work, the Committee decided to promote a sale of work. This was held and a raffle was conducted. In consequence of a complaint being made to the police, action had been taken against defendant, as chairman of the Committee.

"All the money raised has been spent in the interests of the school and children," said defendant's counsel (Mr Dickson). "One objectionable gentleman wrote to the police about the matter and tho police simply had to take action."

Mr McKean said that, although an offence had been committed, under the circumstances he did not feel disposed to enter a conviction against Mr Shearer. The case, therefore, was dismissed as trivial and without a penalty being imposed.