“BIG THREE” ART UNION

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1926, Page 1

“BIG THREE” ART UNION

METHOD OF DRAWING

AUCKLAND, June 8. The “Big Three” art union organised by the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association and the Mauugakiekie Golf Chib, was drawn In Scots Hall last night by Mr E. N. Bartram, ALP. Soon after nine o’clock the curtain y as raised, and the method to be adopted in drawing the numbers was explained. The tickets were arranged in trays on tables, and the actual drawing was (tarried out by means of marbles contained in gaily-coloured bags suspended by strings above the stage. As each ticket sold bore a letter of the alphabet called the “scries letter,” and a number of five figures, there were six bags to he drawn from. The series letter was drawn first, and then followed figures representing tens of thousands, thousands, hundreds, tons, and units. In addition, for the first thirteen prizes of £2O or more, there was another bag to determine the order in which the prizes should be drawn. Tile drawing of the thirteen principal prizes was the initial task. The number of the prizes was the first drawn. The first marble brought out of the hag was numbered 12, representing it prize of £2O. The next drawn was the third one of the three prizes of £IOOO. 'lhe- announcement that the winner was a Christchurch resident brought a disappointed chorus of “Oh.” The fifth prize, of £25, was next, drawn, and then followed three prizes of £2O, which went to Dunedin, Wellington, mid Canterbury, and one of £25 which went to Rangiora. Cue of the prizes of £IOOO was next drawn. It Wits the second prize and was secured.by ii resident of Palmerston North. Cheers greeted the next dip into bag determining tho order of prizes, lor the number 1 was drawn. As this was tho last of tho £IOOO prizes, the audience displayed keen interest. “AuckItind’s last hope,” called a voice. There were frequent cries of “Not sold,” which proved to be correct. Then the drawing of unsold tickets delayed progress, and added to Hie keen interest aroused. Eventually a ticket, which laid been sold was drawn, and the winner proved to he a resident of Hamilton. After two unsuccessful drawings the ninth prize of £2O went to Maslerton, and wiis followed by the seventh, of £25, which went to Chirsteliurch. This left only one of the thirteen largo prizes .still to be drawn, and as yet not one prize bad come to Auckland, the home city of the art union. However, Auckland’s fortunes now changed, and the last large prize was won by mi Edend.de resident. “Why didn’t you take it to Christchurch to l;e drawn?” cried a voice, as the fourteenth prize went lo Christchurch. Tho fifteenth came to Auckland, and tie remaining prizes were then drawn m numerical order. 'Tho drawing was a long process, and continued until after midnight.