THE PROFITS OF DERBY SWEEPS.

Evening Star, Issue 3791, 19 April 1875, Page 3

THE PROFITS OF DERBY SWEEPS.

To the Editor. Sir,— How refreshing it is in these mercenary times to come across an instance of generosity and self-denial, and of a desire to benefit his fellow creatures at his own expense, by a publican—one of a class generally sup posed to be among the most close-fisted! I see by the reports of the proceedings in the Police Court yesterday in connection with the Monster Derby Sweeps, that counsel for the defendant stated that the latter realised no profit from the sweeps: that the Jive per cent. deducted only covered printing and expenses. One thousand tickets at a guinea each, amounts to L 1,650; but only L 950 was distributed amongst us dupes—in other words two shillings was made out of every ticket, LIOO out of every sweep, L3OO out of the three sweeps: all three got up within about three weeks. From this nice little sum has to be deducted only the expense of printing 3,000 tickets and advertising the sweeps —if these tot up L3OO, a newspaper must be a paying game indeed. We may be sure that those who won a few hundred pounds would be glad to “shout” on getting their cheques, however strenuously mine host might oppose it —he having got up the sweeps merely “at the request of the sporting community, friends, acquaintance, &c.” As to the “ sporting” part of the community making such a request, I should think the bookmakers would rather not see the sweeps got up; for if the public go in for them they have no money left for backing horses.—lam, &c., NvT a Lucky Dog. Dunedin, April 16.