MOTOR-CAR LOTTERY

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 308, 23 September 1933, Page 21

MOTOR-CAR LOTTERY

Sequel in Police Court YESTERDAY’S CASES A sequel to the recent disposal of a motor-ear by the Tramway Entertainers in aid of the funds of the St. John Ambulance Association by means of a lottery was heard in the Police Court yesterday, when four men were charged before Mr. E. Page, S.M., two with disposing of the car by means of chance and two with selling lottery tickets.

Alexander George Blight was fined £lO on the first charge and Richard John Culver on a similar count was convicted and discharged. For selling the tickets, John William Roworth and Charles Henry Wilson were fined 30/each,

Senior-Sergeant Dempsey said that tire sale of tickets commenced before May. On May 5 two men who had conducted a similar lottery were convicted. On May 9 Blight and another member of the Entertainers waited on the Minister of Internal Affairs seeking a way out of the difficulty. For the sake of their reputation they told the Minister that they wanted to keep fail with the people to whom they had sold the tickets and proposed raffling a picture and giving the car. to the winner. After a constable had given warning that the sale of tickets must cease they continued to be sold in various parts of the Dominion. The drawing of the lottery was on the lines of an art union draw. Mr. D. Perry, representing defendants, all of whom pleaded guilty, said it was not until the scheme had been publicly launched that the illegality of the system had been declared. Defendants had no option but to keep faith with the public by finishing the lottery. Steps had been taken to regularise the proceedings, but without success. Employee’s Wages Tax Failure to pay the emergency unemployment tax deducted from his employees’ wages resulted in the appearance of Boyanic Nicholas, who, recently, had kept a restaurant on Lambton Quay. In respect to three workers there was a shortage of £3/19/8, but the total amount was £l2/14/6, said Mr. F. W. Ashley, Inspector of Factories. Defendant had endeavoured to make up the deficiencies and at present there was £B/1/3 outstanding. He had offered to pay this’ off at the rate of 7/6 a week. Defendant, L was explained, was in poor circumstances. The magistrate adjourned the case sino die provided the balance was paid off at the rate mentioned. If payments were not kept up, Mr. Page said that Nicholas would be brought before the court again.

False Pretences Charge". A plea of guilty was entered by William Henry. PoiVell, who was charged with obtaining sums. of money amounting to 4/6 by false pretences. Detective-Sergeant Revell told the court that accused had represented to three different persons that he was canvassing for the sale of firewood and from each had received 1/6. The firewood was not delivered. Accused, who had a family of nine, whose ages ranged from 12 to 22 years, had not been in trouble Asked if he had anything to say, accused handed a document to the magistrate, who said that he would give him a chance and order him to come up for sentence within 12 months if called upon. Mr. Page remarked that the man was earning little money and seemed pretty hard put to it. Learning to Drive When a girl of 15 collided with a post while driving a motor-car in Cuba Street recently and was questioned by the police, her mother, who wa§ also in the car, stated that she was teaching her daughter to drive. When asked to produce her license, however, it was found that it had not been renewed. The mother, Sophia Lois Suckling, was charged with aiding and abetting an unlicensed driver, and was fined, 10/- and costs.

Watch and Timber Stolen Frederick Constantine was convicted and ordered to come up for t«u<e if called upon within 12 months on charges of stealing a gold watch valued at £2, belonging to Beatrice H. Gardner, and timber valued at 7/6, the property of Keith R. Gardner. An order was made for the return of the stolen goods. Other Charges For being on licensed premises after hours, Albert Allen and Charles Montrose Jenkins were each fined £2. Two charges involving breaches of the Second-hand Lealers’ Act were preferred against Luke Russell, who ka<s fined £1 on each charge. David Wild, a relief worker, aged 61, was convicted and discharged for obtaining admission to Athletic Park without having paid his fee. Defendant, said Senior-Sergeant Dempsey, had climbed over a fence, but was arrested by a conA fine of £1 and costa was imposed on Ivan Taly for being the owner of an unlicensed radio set. . Charged .with stealing a manuscript diary entitled “Dr. Bainbridge's Voyage to New Zealand in 1841,” valued at £5O, the property of the Internal Affairs Department, a’ young man, who pleaded not guilty, was remanded for a fortnight. Bail was fixed at £5O with a similar surety.