LOTTERY ALLEGED

Evening Star, Issue 19699, 28 October 1927, Page 4

LOTTERY ALLEGED

PUBLISHER CHARGED PICTURE PUZZLE COMPETITION An interesting race occupied the attention of the I’olioe Court this morning, when Francis Joseph Haywood, publisher of the ’ Southern Sporting Guido,’ was charged with cm Octob* 13 commencing a scheme for which a sum of money was competed for by a mode of chance. Tho facts alleged were that defendant conducted a picture puzzle competition with tho names of racehorses, aud that there were alternative solutions to the one above by defendant as the correct one. Mr 0. J. While appeared for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty. Chief-detective Caraerou said tho information had been laid under the Gaming Act. Tho defendant was the publisher of tho pamphlet ‘Southern Sporting Guide,’ published at Dunedin. On tho date get out tho ‘ Guido ’ was sold in the streets, and inside was the picture puzzle setting out £lo as a prize for a correct solution. Tho correct names selected were (1) eßacon Light, (2) Captain Cobha.ni, (5) Fireside, Lady Balboa, (5) Passing Through, Catkm'. Tho Chief Detective went on to say that there were a number of alternative answers equally correct, which therefore made it a lottery, liven if the magistrate decided that some of the alternative were not an answer to the puzzles, as long as he loan 1 that one of them was equally correct w i tho selected solution, then the Chief .. selective contended that it was a lotlc.y, legal authority being quoted in this < '.o tion. The names suggested as allernautes for the lirst picture were All Bright, Beaming, Bright Glow, Attract, and Glad Light, all of which were to bo found in the "Turf Begisler.’ aud another alternative was Harbor Light, the name of a trotter. For Captain Cobiuim the selected solution for the second picture, an alternative was Fleetham. Alternatives for tho third picture were Fircsight, Fiery Lad, Fender, and choolboj. For Lady Balboa the selected answer to picture No. J, an alternative wgs Queen Balboa. For the fifth picture alternatives were Bachelor Gay, Gay Lad, Full Swing, Gooseslep, Merry Wanderer, Paradcr. Tho Slasher, Manly, Tho Fop, and Billingsgate. Mr White: “I don't see any fish in the picture—what’s tho connection in regard to tho last name?”

The Chief Detective: “That's a question for the court to decide.” Tho Magistrate; “ft seems to be an attempt to pun, Mr White.” Mr White; "Yes. on the part of the police. 1 ’ The Chief Detective concluded fcy slating that an alternative for the sixth .picture was Catmint. Detective* Lean that on October l-"> a number of men were telling the guides in question in thu streets. Witness bought one (produced), and next morning defendant came to sec witness, admitting that ho was tho publisher, and responsible for tho picture inside. Ho gave witness the names which ho considered tho correct solution. Witness; suggested Iho list (produced) as alternative answers to the puzzle. Harbor Light was a horso mentioned in the ‘Referee,’ and the others wore contained m the ‘Hew Zealand Turf Kegisler.’

Mr White; “Have you ever won anything at, these puzzlci?” Witness: "No; 1 haven't tried I” Mr White; “1 shouldn’t think you would have ninth chance, judging by the solutions you have selected.” To Mr Whim: Witness _ said that defendant bad been to see him about these puzzles on several occasions. Tho witness was subjected to a lengthy cross-examination as to tho reasons for tho selection of tho various alternatives to the defendant's selected solutions of the picture puzzles. In reference to the name “Glad Light”

as an alternative to “ Beacon Light, ’ the witness said ho thought a lighthouse would bo regarded ae a glad light. Mr White: ‘‘ls it not a warning light?

The Magistrate: "I should say it was a glad light, too—doesn't it gladden the heart of the mariner when he sees it?”

When cross-examination was being conducted in regard to the name “Passing Through” and ‘its alternatives, Mr While asked if tho man in the picture looked as if he were a bachelor —didn't he look as if ho had all the worry of the world on his shoulders? Witness: “ Defendant's solution says bo is passing through, but by the picture ho is not through. He might never get through, and might turn back.” This dosed the case for the prosecution, Mr White then asking for an adjournment, as his cheif witness, an artist,' was unable to appear. The Chief Detective opposed an adjournment, stating that this was not the time for such an application. The Magistrate said that if tho application should have been lodged at the outset of a ens', but he would grant an adjoin , .:;.v until 9.30 a.m. on Monday.