FLEEING FROM WRATH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10670, 15 February 1926, Page 5

FLEEING FROM WRATH

LOTTERY TIPSTER FAILS.

AFTER RUN OF GOOD LUCK.

GAMBLING MANIA IN ITALY. £Per Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) ROME, February 'l4. The whole of Italy forgot the Musso-lini-Stresseman controversy, in a State lottery culminating yesterday with excitement at the highest pitch. A hunchback named Torraca had lately been forecasting winning numbers with extraordinary accuracy. He never backed his own/ tips, but was always content with gilts from those who had benefited from them, in consequence of which he was regarded as a hero and a seer. Whereas formerly he lived in poverty in the .village of San Ferdinando he has lately been presented with a palatial house by the Mayor, who is said to have won £IO,OOO through Torraca's tips. Many girls won largo doweries. Torraca was besieged for tips for the latest lottery, and it is estimated that 50,000 people crowded into San Ferdinando during the last few days to seek news. Such was his fame that the whole country was absorbed in gambling. There was scarcely a household in Italy without a ticket in the latest lottery. Unfortunately this time Torraca was unsuccessful. He gave 33.48 instead of the winning number 34.49. Subscribers ascribed the error to over-tiredness and complained that he did not have time to make elaborate calculations. The latest news is that Torraca has disappeared, having fled in a motor-car from the village to escape the wrath of those who had believed, in his infallibility. It is estimated that £250,000 was lost in Naples alone, and £125,000 in Palermo. Never have the Italian, people suffered so severely, but the State has gained enormously.