MOTOR CAR FOR LETTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 138, 13 June 1934, Page 14

MOTOR CAR FOR LETTER.

FIRM PLEADS NOT GUILTY. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. 1 " An advertising scheme under which a motor car was offered as prize was the subject of a charge against a drapery and clothing firm, Hays, Ltd., heard in the Magistrate's Court to-day. The police alleged that between April 11 and May 17 the firm conducted a scheme whereby a promise was niado that a motor car valued at £229 would be disposed of by a certain device, contrary to section 41, sub-section C, of the Gaming Act, 190 S. Mr. C. S. Thomas, who appeared for Hays, Ltd., entered a plea of not guilty. The conditions of entry for the competition were detailed in Court. The prize of a motor car was offered for the best letter from a customer setting out reasons "why the firm is forging ahead.'' A receipt for goods to the value of 5/ or more must be procured and sent with the letter. In addition to the prize of a motor car, there were live weekly prizes of 5/ each to writers of the best letters sent in during the week, these winning letters to be included in the final judging for the motor car. Two judges outside the firm were appointed to judge the letters. All the facts were admitted. Mr. Thomas asked for dismissal of the case on the grounds that the evidence did not disclose an offence. He argued that if Hay's competition was a lottery, the Empire school essay competition, and even university scholarships, could bo held to be lotteries. The magistrate, Mr. E. D. Moalcy, reserved his decision.