IRISH SWEEPSTAKE

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1931, Page 2

IRISH SWEEPSTAKE

A BIG SUCCESS.

LONDON, November 18

To the maii-in-the-street, one of the greatest interests of the week in the British Isles—one might almost say folie world over—has been the big Irish Hospitals Sweepstake, and the drawing of the tickets on the Manchester November Handicap. Despite the ban placed on the carriage of letters by the General Post Office, the sum received exceeded all expectations—over £658,000.

The popularity of the sweepstake has made it inevitable that there will be others in the future run from Dublin. Jt is anticipated that the next will be promoted in connexion with the Grand National run in March. The prize list which was announced before the draw began, and the final audit of which will probably show a slight increase in the prize money, ivas US follows :

Total, proceeds 658,618 Estimated n mount payable to hospitals 131,724 Drawer of winning horse ... 204,764 Drawer of second horse ... 81,905 Drawer of third horse ... 40,953 Other starters divide ... 49,143 All original entries divide ... 24,572 Selling of ticket for winning horse 5,119 Seller of ticket for second horse 2,647 Seller of ticket for third horse 1,024 Before the draw began yesterday, Lord Powerscourt, the chairman, referred to the ban imposed by the English G.P.0.. He said that it was the duty of officials and Ministers to carry out the laws of their Government. Had the English Government specially framed a new Act to effect a stoppage of letters, they might have felt some justification for 'grumbling, but it must not be forgotten that the English law dealing with sweepstakes was framed many years ago and was sti.l on the Statute Book.

With regard to the future, they were all optimistic. They would in future sweeps pursue exactly the some policy as in this one. There would be no solicitation or canvassing in any country.