“MOST IMPROPER GAME”

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 48, 20 November 1926, Page 8

“MOST IMPROPER GAME”

PEG LA AT RGYAL SHOW

OWNERS FINED AND MATERIAL CONFISCATED

BY TBfitGBAFn.— PRESS Assot lATlox

Auckland, November 19.

A charge of playing a game of chance known as “peg la” at the Loyal Show was preferred against Lbomas Albert Durran and his son, Thomas 1 ran cis Durran, in the . Magistrate’s Court. Chief Detective Cummings described the game and said that 2s. were awarded if a player rung one of tno irout pegs. 4s for pegs in the second row, and 10s.’for pegs in the rear row. Iho nogs were placed at. an angle a wav from the player, and it was a physical impossibility for any person to place a ring over a peg. The pegs were not quite firm on the table, and this made Hie game much more difficult. Mr. Cummings said that he watched a number of people playing at the game tor twenty minutes and not one got a ring over a peg. H© told defendants that it was a game of chance and not one of skill. Defendant declined to give a demonstration in support of his contention that it was a game of skill. He told witness that the game had been played all over New Zealand and that witness would only hold liimseH up. to ridicule if he took any action. <r He also showed me a roll ot notes containing' several fivers, and said he was going to fight tbe case. ’ said Air. Cummings. told him bp would get some good legal advice for that.” “Too Strong for the Public.” Senior-Detective Hammond said that he warned defendants to stop the game as it was too strong for the public. Witness saw boys, and girls playing, defendants taking their money. Mr. Sullivan, (who appeared for defendants) suggested that a demonstration should be given in the courtroom, but after detectives had made elaborate preparations the elder defendant flatly declined to give a demonstration on the ground that the table was not the exact size or height. He said that he sold Ins own fable yesterday, and wanted three weeks’ adjournment. Mr. Sullivan thanked the Magistrate for consenting to witness a demonstration, but eaid that unfortunately he had a client who would not take his advice. ,^^ e , n T int now savs,” continued counsel, that Constable ’Hadler, of Now Plymouth can ring six out of every nine pegs, and he desires to get an adjournment that he can call him to give evidence. Counsel mentioned that there were two other police officers in New Plymouth who could say that pegs could be covered with a ring. The Magistrate (Mr. Hunt): 111 assume that three men can come here and sav that, but against that Mr. cuniand other witnesses have stated it is an unfair game to the public, and that it is a physical impossibility to place rings on the pegs. 1 will not grant three weeks’ adjournment, but 1 will hear an application later when the defence is opened. . Acting-Detective Packman. Delcctive Nalder, and Constable Carroll then gave evidence, all stating that they saw numbers of persons playing the game. Not one player succeeded in ringing a pegMr. Sullivan said that a surprise had been sprung on him. His clients now stated that they could secure well-jcnqwn local men who had won money playing the game, one winning .£2 and another AT 10s. He therefore asked for an adjournment, as such evidence was important in view of the police witnesses stating that it was a physical impossibility to play the game with skill. Mr. Cummings: I object to another adjournment. The ca s e was adjourned yesterday until this morning. If defendant misleads or misinforms his counsel he will have to take the responsibility. . , In imposing a fine of >£2s on each or defendants and ordering the confiscation of their material, the Magistrate said that the game was a most improper one. It defrauded the public, who had no earthly chance of winning.