ROLL-DOWN MUST STOP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3047, 12 June 1926, Page 2

ROLL-DOWN MUST STOP.

Wellington, June 10. * In giving judgment in the roll down case against Bishop and Dawson, Air. E. Page, S.AI., said that the tests, conducted showed that there was an element of skill. He held that it was not a game of chance within the meaning of the Act. If was difficult to lay down a rule as to what degree of playing and wagering at a legitimate game would cause the premises to become a public nuisance. The game had attained some degree of popularity. There was no opportunity " for cheating anil no assemblance of bad characters, and no nuisance or annoyance to adjoining premises, but the game had no intrinsic merits anil its vogue was based solely upon the gamble associated * @ sS’, with it. In view of the facts that a large number of devotees were children and young people, and also that among the adults probably a number could not well afford the money wasted, and also that the amount of play reached' substantial dimensions and the game was a gable, he thought it prejudicial to the morals of the participants and held that the keeping of the premises was illegal. Defendants were convicted, and the fine was fixed at £5 Is to enable them to appeal, security for which was fixed at £ls 15s. ’