RUGBY FORECAST

Grey River Argus, 18 May 1938, Page 7

RUGBY FORECAST

Ruled to be a Bet MAGISTRATE’S DECISION UPSET. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, May 17. An appeal against the Magistrate’s dismissal of an action brought against Stewart John France, who invited householders to enter forecasting competitions on the Wellington Rugby games, was upheld in the Supreme Court by Mr. Justice Reed, and the case was remitted to the Magistrate with the opinion of the Court that ths man should be convicted. Mr. Justice Reed agreed with the Magistrate that the scheme was not a lottery, but said that it did come within the definition of a bet, being in effect a wager of Is to £2O. Costs were not allowed.

Counsel for France, in explaining that France borrowed on his life insurance to float the scheme and paid out more than £27, said that the proceeds were something over £4, so that he lost about £23. It was also stated that the case was in the nature of a test case, and was very important to the Crown because, had the Magistrate’s decision remained, the door would have been opened.