SWEEPSTAKE SCHEME.

Shannon News, 2 October 1925, Page 1

SWEEPSTAKE SCHEME.

A CIRCULAR FROM SYDNEY. TICKETS SENT FOE SALE. “The New Zealand Sweepstake,” printed in bold type, is the heading of a circular which, with books of tickets, appears to have been distributed fairly widely in Auckland from a Sydney address. The fact that it bears no Government authority and that recipients have no knowledge Of the person whose name is on it, suggest the need of inquiry on the matter and some caution on the part of those who have been invited to sell the tickets and forward the proceeds. The circular may be allowed to speak for itself. The heading states that the sweepstake is to be run on the New Zealand Cup to be run at Christchurch on November 7 and that the cash prizes amount to £IO,OOO. The document then proceeds:— “The enclosed book contains 11 tickets for the next sweep, one free ticket being given to the seller of the remaining 10 tickets, the seller having also a chance! of winning £250 given to sellers of tickets representing first, second and third horses. The value of the 10 tickets, £2 10s, must be remitted to the above address, along with the counterfoils, so as to reach Sydney not later than October 27, 1025,• before this date if possible.” There certainly may be need for prompt action. A significant passage states that remittances should be made by New Zealand bank notes or New Zealand postal notes. In black type it is an-, nounccd that no post office money orders or cheques will be accepted. “It is necessary,” proceeds the cirlar, “to register letters containing postal notes which are crossed.” Ticket sellers are informed that they will receive acknowledgment of remittances immediately counterfoils are returned with the correct amount. “All tickets for this sweep,” continues the document, “ are being sold exclusively in New Zealand, and all prize moneys will accordingly be paid in New Zealand. This arrangement will appeal to all who participate in sweeps and will stimulate interest in the matter.” Why, one may ask, are Australians to be denied the attractive hazard ? The reason why this all-New Zealand affair is being conducted in Australia is thus explained: “Owing to postal difficulties in New Zealand, all business meanwhile is being operated from Sydney at the above address and all commiuiications will receive prompt attention.” There may be a lot of meaning in the word “meanwhile.”

The susubsequent. “consultation” is to be on the Auckland Cup, to be run on December 26. "If you cannot see your way to dispose of these tickets,” concludes the communication, “It would be esteemed a favour if you would hand them to a friend whh may be interested.” Then comes a printed name followed by the title pf “manager.” The prizes are. thus set out: —To the drawer of first horse, £5000; second horse. £2OOO, third horse, £IOOO. iTo be divided among other horses nominated, £750. To seller first horse ticket. £l5O, second horse, £75; third horse £25. The address is a certan box of a certain Sydney office. The circular has no printer’s imprint. The recipient of the circular handed to the “N.Z. Herald” representative has no knowledge of the person who presumably forwarded it to him, and the fact that it went to his private address, to which letters are never adressed, suggested that the sweepstake organiser made his acquaintance by way of directory. If this has been the general method, there is an obvious risk of people being victimised by some of those now in possesion of books of tickets, quite apart from the possible risk of the sweepstake meeting with disfavour by those who keep an eye upon lotteries. Until more is know about the matter those who have received tickets to sell would be well advised not to sell the tickets lest they should run the risk of becoming parties to operations that are not approved. With prize money totalling £IO.OOO, 40,000 tickets would have to be sold to return that sum, and many more to pay the unknown cost of the venture. Judging by the look of the circular the promoter does not intend to waste unnecessary money on stationery but doubtless he expects some compensation for his time in offering this boon to New Zealand, to the exclusion of Australia, even though he has not found it necessary to set up an office. If he has done so he has refrained from mentioning the fact. His place of business, as far as one can judge, is a post office box.