EUCHRE TOURNEYS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1927, Page 2

EUCHRE TOURNEYS

ARE THEY ILLEGAL,

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

. AUCKLAND, July 15. Does the running of a euchre tournament constitute a breach of the Gaming Acts? This was the question which confronted Mr McKean, S.M., in the Auckland Police Court to-day, when James Pennington and Joseph Foma pleaded ‘‘not guilty’ to a charge- of keeping the Masonic Hall, Dovonport, as a common gaming house, Mr Schramm, who defended, said there was a similar charge against a man named Hugo Wentworth, now in Australia. Sub-Tnspcetor Lewin said a summons (had not been served on this man. The holding of tournaments was advertised by leaflets, which were distributed on ferry steamers. A charge of two shillings was made for admission, and the first prize was £5. It was estimated that the event resulted in a profit of £2 10s for the promoters. The question was whether euchre was a game of chance, and whether the use of the hall for the purpose of playing for money prizesconstituted a breach of the law. Sergeant Rowell gave evidence m support of the charge. He said he took a ticket and played himself. Air McKean: “Did you win a priy.e ?’ T Witness: “Xo. sir!" Inspector Lewin: ‘“A hat <> cards did you hold?” _ Witness: “Not too good! (T.augi- '' witness added that the tournament was run fairly and there was no suggestion of collusion between the ptomoters and those who won the prizes. At two successive tournaments, the first prizes were won by ladies. Mr Schramm said the defence was that the ‘Scene of Hie tournament was not a common gaming house. Decision was reserved.