The Patea Mail (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1878.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 310, 6 April 1878, Page 2

The Patea Mail (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1878.

— It has been known for some time past that summonses had been served, at the Instance of the Sergeant of Police, on residents of Patea, of good social

standing and repute, for having taken part, or been present at, what was advertised as a “ Grand Sweep on the Patea Jockey Club Handicap, 1878,” and which had been got up by Mr 11. Chadwick. So far as the drawing ol the sweep was concerned, it seemed a Very harmless affair, and the well-known good character of the gentlemen who assisted, was a guarantee of everything being conducted fairly and above board. As there was not the slightest indication of a growl on the part of the large number of respectable townsfolk and visitors, who were present in the Carlyle Town Hall, on the evening of the drawing, it is evident the arrangements made, gave general satisfaction. During the time of the drawing, Sergeant Whelan put in an appearance, and entered a protest against the proceedings, as being illegal. Very little notice was taken of what was deemed to be the meddlesomeness of the Sergeant, and it was not for a moment thought that proceedings would bo taken against any of the parties concerned. Armed, however with an Ordinance of the Taranaki Provincial Council, passed in 1874, entitled “An Ordinance to facilitate the suppression of Lotteries in the Province of Taranaki,” the Sergeant of Police proceeded with what he considered to be his duty, and summoned the leading parties. The gathering at the Court House on Thursday, showed that more than ordinary interest was being taken in the case. Evidence was taken, and three of the parties were fined. Two others have yet to undergo the process. Maybe success in the first cases will develope zeal, and lead to the Sergeant summoning all whom ho can swe ir to as being present at the drawing. The cases being brought before the R.M., it would appear that ho had no option but to fine, on participation being proved, as will be seen from the following extract from the Ordinance. Clause I. says, “ That any person or persons whatsoever, who shall, within the limits of the Province of Taranaki, publicly or privately exercise, keep open, show, or expose to be played at, drove at, or thrown at, any lottery, now being unlawful, shall, for every such offence, forfeit, and a pay a sum not less than £2 nor exceeding. £2O, and in default of payment, shall be imprisoned for any term not exceeding six months, with or without hard labour.” Clause 2 provides that any person who shall play, or throw, or draw, at any such lottery, shall be fined five shillings. The R.M., in each ease, inflicted the lowest penalty which the law allowed. While in no way disposed to advocate lotteries, we cannot look upon the present prosecution as anything else than unnecessary persecution of the parties concerned. Last session, the Assembly was indisposed, in spite of the strenuous efforts of several private members, to deal with the matter of lotteries and art unions in anything like a wholesale fashion. An attempt at legislation failed the previous session. As such general attention has been called throughout the colony, to the subject of lotteries, both during the time Parliament was sitting, and since, by cases similar to that just decided in the R.M. Court, and on account of which legislation cannot be much longer delayed, we consider that the very harmless affair got up by Mr Chadwick, might have been allowed to pass unnoticed.