$1M to Chch

Press, 1 June 1984, Page 1

$1M to Chch

Million-dollar dreams came true last evening for a Christchurch family of four, in Somerfield. New Zealand’s first million-dollar lottery, drawn on television at 9.30 p.m. last evening, was won by ticket No. 246489, MM+2 syndicate. The ticket-holder, a Somerfield woman, was watching television when the ticket was drawn, and soon afterwards telephoned Radio 3ZB to confirm the ticket number. The woman declined to give her name when asked

by an announcer, but said she intended investing the money. She said that her husband owned a small business, and that she had two children. W’hen drawing the winning number on television, the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon, said, “Congratulations. My advice is that you go along and see an accountant tomorrow.” Sir Robert quipped that his only disappointment was that he would not be able to tax the winnings. However, that would not

necessarily be the case in any subsequent major lottery prizes, Sir Robert said. "I am getting ideas all tbe time.” be said. The winning marble was drawn from a cylinder containing the 250.000 numbered marbles. Queues formed outside most ticket agencies earlier this month when the $25 tickets went on sale. Funds from the lottery were to help the New Zealand Olympic team.