MOTOR CAR RAFFLE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 185, 15 January 1915, Page 8

MOTOR CAR RAFFLE.

IN AID OF BELGIAN FUN!). PROMOTER PROSECUTED. 'By Telegraph.—Par Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. An advertisement recently appeared in several newspapers calling attention to the raffling of a' new motor car. The car was claimed to be the last one shipped from Liege, tickets for it being on sale at ten shillings each. All the money received was fo be devoted to the Belgian relief fund. The car, which was worth about £350, was duly drawn for, the total proceeds, amounting to j £512, being paid over to the Belgian relief fund, but since no permission had been obtained for holding the raffle the promoter, William M. Russell, was summoned in the Police Court, being charged with having established a lottery. Defendant did not appear, but Mr A.'E. Skclton, instructed by the Belgian relief fund committee, entered a. plea of not guilty. The defendant, he said, was acting us agent for the maker of the ear which was raffled. The. raffle was promoted in anticipation of obtaining ermissinn which was wot granted. The whole transaction was above suspicion, ttie drawing taking lace in the presence of an influential committee, and all the money received was handed over to the fund, the defendant actually being out of pocket over the transaction. Counsel admitted that the law had been broken, but he could not conceive any more laudable object for which the lawcould be broken. Any fine imposed upon defendant would be paid by the members of the Relief fund out of their own pockets, as they had taken all the responsibility for the raffle. "All that you have said is simply an attempt to prove that the end justifies the means," said Mr E. C. Cutteii, S.M., to counsel. "In law courts it can never do that." His Wor.-.hip said he would consider the matter, and give his decision to-morrow morning.