PICKING WINNERS
. WELLINGTON CASE Footba’l Competition Stating that he obtained, legal advice before putting the scheme into operation, Stewart John France, aged 19, of Petone, defended a charge brought against him in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court, that he had committed a breach of the Gaming Act by running a competition in conjunction with the Wellington Rugby Union’s senior championship. The magistrate was Mr E. D. Mosley. De-tective-Sergeant P. Doyle conducted the prosecution, and defendant was represented by Mr W. E. Leicester. Defendant drafted his scheme in March, said the detective-sergeant. The sum of £2O was offered for a correct list of winning teams in the senior A and B matches played on Anril 17, the cost of entry being Is. The odds were thus 400 to 1. There was a proviso, however, that in the case of ties the prize would be divided. Altogether, 4850 forms were sent through the post. Of the people communicated with. 86 replied, sending entries each accompanied by a 1/postal note. When the matter was investigated by the police defendant was very frank and handed over ths notes and replies. Detective W. McLennan said that on April 14 a large number of circulars were issued to Wellington householders through the post. He ascertained that France had ordered 5000. and arranged with the postmaster at Petone to have the circulars sent by post to residents in Wellington. Witness interviewed defendant. on April 19 and obtained a signed statement, in which defendant said be had obtained a legal opinion that the proposed contest was a game of skill. Accordingly, he went on with the scheme. He received about 100 replies, or about £5 in money. His expenditure in printing, postage, and other items totalled £l9 10s, so that he had decided, even before he was interviewed, that lie would not repeat the venture. Mr Leicester emphasised the point that defendant was undetermined whether or not the contest was a lottery, and that he only went ahead with it when favourable legal opinion was obtained. After counsel had l discussed the legal aspect, the magistrate reserved ; his decision.
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Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 444, 27 May 1937, Page 7
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350PICKING WINNERS Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 444, 27 May 1937, Page 7
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