ILLEGAL SWEEP

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 169, 13 April 1935, Page 9

ILLEGAL SWEEP

Fines Following Raid By Telegraph.—l’ress Association. To Arolia, April 12. A case arising out of the police raid on February 22 at the Masonic Hall on the occasion of a Calcutta sweepstake being held, was heard to-day before Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M. Thomas Stanley Wyllie, clerk, of Te Puke, was charged with using the Masonic Hall at Te Aroha as a common gaming-house, and Samuel Wilson, auctioneer, of Te Aroha. with assisting in the proceedings. Wyllie was fined £2O and 15/costs, and Wilson £5 and 15/- costs. Inspector Thompson stated that on February 22 detectives and police raided the Masonic Hall, where a Calcutta sweep was being conducted. Over £lOO was on the table. This was taken, and one horse which was engaged in the Champion Hack Handicap was auctioned for £2S. Mr. F. Hopkins, who appeared for Wyllie, submitted that Calcutta sweeps had long been held in different parts of New Zealand. The proceedings were the outcome of a sporting gathering held at Te Aroha in the annual race week, when a mild form of gambling was indulged in'by sportsmen assembled in only one evening of the year. No warning whatever had been received of illegality. Mr. C. A. Arthur, who appeared for Wilson, submitted that Wilson had only acted as auctioneer to oblige the assembled sportsmen, and, knowing that Calcutta sweeps had been held before, he had acted in sheer ignorance of the law in the subject.