OLD PEOPLE’S HOME

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 January 1923, Page 8

OLD PEOPLE’S HOME

U.S.A. AND RAFFLES. Unable to secure Ministerial permission to raffle a motor-car for the purpose of raising funds to erect an Old People’s Home at Greymouth, the Returned Soldiers’ Association Committee yesterday afternoon decided to apply for permission to raffle gold nuggets valued at £125, £5O, and £zo. keen regret was expressed at the Ministerial veto, as the Association had received the offer of a motor-car on gen. erous terms. The meeting was he.ld at the Council Chambers, there being present: Messrs A. H. McKane (chairman), N. Jones, S. White, A. Armstrong, and T. Ryan (secretary). Messrs Schaef and Sons, Greymouth on behalf of the New Zealand Automobiles, Ltd, offered a new 1920 sixcylinder Nash roadster car, complete in every respect, the selling price of which is now £5OO- The firm would donate £2OO to the fund out of the purchase money. Mr McKane explained that he had interviewed the Premier when he was at Greymouth and outlined the U.S.A, scheme. Me agreed with it and promised to consider it. Later he regretted that he could not grant permission. The Association then applied for a ’ special permit, to which the Prime Minister, wrote stating that there wa K no statutory authority to grant permission to raffle a motor-car, as desired by the Association. The raffling of personal property of that nature was expressly forbidden by the Gaming Act, 1908. An amendment made during the war permitted the disposal of any real or personal property of any description by way of raffle, subject to the condition that the proceeds were paid over to a war fund, but that amendment was repealed in 1920, since when no such permits had been issued. It was impossible to comply.with the Association’s request. The Chairman moved that a letter be sent to Messrs Schaef, thanking them for their generous offer, and regretting that Hie necessary permission to raffle tin* niotoi:-car could not. be secured. The motion was seconded by Mr Armstrong and carried. Failing the motor-car, the Chairman said it was suggested that, an endeavour be made to raffle gold specimens, which 3 was allowed under the Act. .M r E. W. Spencer, of the Blackwater Mmes, Ltd., advised, in reply to the Association's letter, that gold could be supplied in nuggets al, £o per ounce. The company must be satisfied, however, that- the. Association Had srcuied Ministerial permission to purchase gold. .Mr White asked what amount was to be raised. The Chairman said that the Association aimed al £5OOO (to carry a subsidy of 25/- in I he £). On the motion of Mr Ryan, it was decided that the Minister be asked to permit- the raffling of gold nuggets. The Chairman suggested that nuggets worth £lOO, £3O and £2O he. secured, and at the same time they could endeavour to get donations of pictures and other objects of art. Members were of opinion that more valuable nuggets should be offered, and Mr Armstrong considered that pictures did not appeal to people. After some discussion, Air Armstrong moved that prizes be offered as follow : First, nugget valued at £125 second, £5O nugget; third, £25 nugget. The motion was seconded by ’ Air White and carried. The Chairman said that as it had been decided that the tickets should sell at 2/6 each, there would be three

chances—lOd each. Air White : That means 40,000 tickets. The Chairman expressed his confidence that the necessary permission would be forthcoming. He moved that the 60 R.S-A. branches in New Zealand be circularised, outlining the scheme and asking for their co-opera-tion ; also the number of books of tickets they would require. Once the U.S.A, organisation was completed, he said other bodies such as the Old Boys’ Association, West Coasters Associations Commercial Traveller’s Association, Labour bodies, etc., could be approached. The motion was seconded by Air Armstrong and carried. Air Jones stated that it would be necessary to appoint a committee. The Chairman replied that immediately a permit for the raffle was secured, a general meeting would be called, and a permanent secretary and committee would be appointed. Air Ryan said that an answer should be received from Wellington on Saturday.