ECHO OF A CARNIVAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1915, Page 6

ECHO OF A CARNIVAL.

AUCKLAND SECRETARY PROSECUTED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Yesterday. At the Police Court to-day, John T. Lees, secretary of the Licensed Victuallers' Committee, was charged with a bleach of the Gaming and Lotteries Act in connection with the £IO,OOO art union depending on the 'result of the Auckland Cup. A formal plea of guilty was entered.

It was or.' Jained that while the proceeds of the wle of tickets -were handed to the Carnival Committee, the lottery differentiated from other lotteries which had the express sanction of the Minister, while tin? sale of tickets continued after the defendant had been warned by the police.. Mr. Fraser, S.M., said the moral aspect of the lotteuy was no different from others ill connection witli the carnival, except that the particular promoters had not obtained a permit. There was an element of horse racing about it which possibly affected the Minister's decision, but incidentally it did not increase the element of chance. Apparently the Carnival Committee had relied on the Minister's assurance made in connection with a member of the committee, but there was nothing before him (Mr. Fraser) to show tjiat the Minister fully understood the full circumstances. The committee was culpable in not applying for a permit, but the breach was technical. He recorded a conviction and ordered defendant to pay costs, 40s.