SURPRISE PACKETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 159, 7 July 1926, Page 8

SURPRISE PACKETS.

A HAMILTON PROSECUTION. PARADOXES OF THE LAW. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. David Caro, proprietor of the Great Bargain Stores, recently conducted a "surprise packed day" on which he sold envelopes at one shilling, each containing a ticket for an article in the stores. A detective who purchased two envelopes drew an overcoat valued at £3 and a vase. Another detective drew a mirror and a pair of boot trees. To-day, Caro was charged that, by means of a certain device, he did dispose of a gentleman's overcoat, such coat being allotted by chance. For the defence, it was contended that Caro merely followed the lead set by certain Auckland firms who held prize packet days, and did not think he was committing an offence. In order to eliminate the elements of a lottery he made sure that every article sold by this means was worth at least one shilling retail value, with the opportunity of getting something of infinitely greater value. The magistrate (Mr. Wyvern Wilson) said he found it difficuft to reconcile the paradoxes of the law towards gambling, but the influence of gambling was so pernicious that if allowed to spread it inculcated laziness and encouraged non-production. So, when it became rampant, the authorities had taken firm action to suppress it. While he did not think there was anything fraudulent in this case, yet defendant did it for the purpose of increasing his business. Being a second conviction, defendant would be fined £15 and costs.