ILLEGAL LOTTERY

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28157, 21 December 1956, Page 17

ILLEGAL LOTTERY

THREE MEN FINED CAR OR £lOOO AS PRIZE (New Zealand Press Association) HAMILTON, December 20. An illegal lottery, with the prize a 1956 English car of £lOOO. led to the prosecution in the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court today of three men. They were John Worth, aged 23. a plumber, who pleaded guilty to establishing the lottery, Brian George Coxhead, aged 25, a driver, and Roy Henry Jones, a hairdresser and tobacconist, who pleaded guilty to selling tickets. On the application of Mr H. W. Burley, for the accused, the tickets were returned so that money could be refunded to ticket-holders. Senior-Detective N. Thompson said the police called at Jones’s shop in FranKton because of complaints about an illegal lottery. Jones said he was selling tickets, that they had been left by Coxhead, and that he did not know what the raffle was for. It was alleged that the raffle was in aid of the Forest Lake Rugby League Boys’ Club. There were 2000 tickets printed and the raffle was to be drawn when they were sold. Coxhead had admitted that he was receiving £2 commission for every book of tickets sold, and there could have been £4OO paid out in commission. Worth could not be found on the day of the inquiries, Senior-Detective Thompson said, but reported to the police station the following morning and said he would take full responsibility. He said the funds were for various boys’ clubs, but had nothing to do with the Forest Lake club.

Mr Burley said the enterprise was mooted on behalf of the Forest Lake club and taken before the executive, but the executive wisely decided not to have anything to do with it. “I am absolutely certain,” he said, “that the profits were not going into Worth’s pockets. I know him, and I respect his character. He has done a great deal of work both as a player and administrator for the league club.” Mr L. M. Inglis, S.M.: If you are satisfied that he was not getting the profit I will accept that. . The Magistrate said that many illegal lotteries were being held, and some persons were making a heavy personal profit from them. He convicted and fined Worth £25. Coxhead and Jones were convicted wn d fined £5 each.