AUCKLAND CUP ART UNION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2644, 15 December 1915, Page 3

AUCKLAND CUP ART UNION

A TECHNICAL BREACH. (By Teleeroph.-Presa Association.) ' Auckland, December 14. At tho Police Court, John T. Lees, Secretary of the Licensed Victuallers' Carnival Committee, was charged with a breach of the Gaining and Lotteries Act in connection with the £1000 art union depending on the result of tho Auckland Cup. A formal plea of guilty was entered. It was explained that the whole of the proceeds from .'t'he sale of tickets was handed to tho Carnival Committee but differentiated from tho other lotteries, which bad the express sanction of tho Minister, while the sale of tickets was continued after the defendant had been warned by the police. Mr. Frazer, S.M., said the moral aspect of tho lottery was no different from otherß in connection with the carnival, except in the particular that the promoters had not obtained a Domiit, There was an element of horseracing ajjout'it which possibly affected the Minister's decision, but the horseracinc was merely incidental, and did not increase tho 'element of chance. Apparently the Carnival Committee lad relied on the Slinister's assurance made in conversation with a member of the committee; bnt nothing-was before him (Mr. Frazer) to show that the Minister fully understood the full, circumstances. The committee was culpable in not having applied for a permit, but the breach was' technical. He Tecorded a conviction, and ordered defendant to pay costs, 495.