IS EUCHRE LEGAL?

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 97, 15 July 1927, Page 9

IS EUCHRE LEGAL?

TEST CASE IN COURT TOURNAMENTS QUESTIONED DEVONPORT PROSECUTION Are euchre tournaments for money prizes legal? That is the question Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M.. was called upon to decide in the Police Court to-day. The query was put to the court when J. Remington and J. Lomax were charged with keeping a common gaming house at the Masonic Hall, Devonport. Mr. F. W. Schramm appeared for the defendants, and Sub-Inspector Lie win prosecuted. The sub-inspector said that euchre tournaments were general in New Zealand, and the case, therefore, had more than local interest. The whole question was whether euchre was a game of chance. £5 PRIZE FOR WINNER The facts of the case were that Remington had advertised the tournaments, which were held each Monday night at Devonport. At a tournament held on June 13, there were 140 people at the Masonic Hall. Twenty games were played, and the woman who was declared the winner was paid £5. A ma_n and woman who tied for second place played off, and then received £3 and £1 as second and third prize money. In addition to this, the couple which won a specified game were given 5s each. The admission price to the Hall was 2s, and the takings were £l4. Out of this sum 30s was paid for rent. £9 10s for prizes, leaving the promoters £2 IQs profit. On another night the profits were £4 15s. “Euchre," said Mr. Lewin. “has been held to be a game of chance because success depends upon the cards dealt.” LUCKY SERGEANT Sergeant Rowell, who attended some of the tournaments, said that he won 12 games on one occasion. Everything was fair, and he had no complaint concerning the running of the tournaments. Mr. Schramm: A decent class of people attend the tournaments? “Yes.” replied the sergeant. “There was no drunkenness or disorder?” “None at all.” Euchre is played by the churches?” asked Mr. Schramm. “Yes—they’re the biggest offenders” said the sergeant. “But they give hams or bars of soap as prizes—not money.” (Proceeding.)