"SPECULATIVE VENTURE”

Evening Star, Issue 22517, 9 December 1936, Page 3

"SPECULATIVE VENTURE”

COMPETITIONS AT DANCES MONTE CARLO ORGANISER FINED “ This was not a matter of charity, nor was it in the interests of any society or association; it was a pure speculative venture,” said the magistrate (Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.) in the Police Court this morning, after hearing the facts of a case against Walter O’Neill, who was charged with an infringement of the Gaming Act, 1908. Mr G. T. Baylee appeared for O’Neill, who was charged with promising to dispose of personal property—cash orders to the value of £s —by lottery or chance, which was contrary to the Gaming Act, 1908. Chief-detective Young said that for the last 12 months the defendant had conducted weekly dances at which Monte Carlos w'ere held. _ln these Monte Carlo dances prizes <of little value had been offered, but now they had increased in value to the extent stated in the charge. The £5 was being offered to those taking part in heats extending over five nights. The chief detective described the method of running the competition, and stated that there was little harm in it while the prizes were kept at a, low value. The dances in question were very well conducted, but the prosecution was being made to draw attention to the fact

that the competition as outlined was an illegal practice. Mr Baylee said it was admitted that the actual competition was an infringement of the Act. It had been harmless enough until recently, when unfortunately the defendant had been forced to meet competition by offering higher prizes. The competition was conducted on perfectly fair lines. The defendant himself would welcome the stopping of the practice. The Magistrate remarked that the defendant must have been alive to the chance he was taking. He would be convicted and fined £5 and court costs (10s)., ■