MONTE CARLO LURE

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 20 February 1932, Page 9

MONTE CARLO LURE

“ Breaking the Bank ”

74/TONTE iCARiLO, home of the ultra wealthy, resort of the spenders of all nations, last word in lavish luxury, has fallen on hard times. Never has the place been sc hard hit as at present. World-wide depression has resulted in an acute scarcity of visitors with money to burn.

The casinos are half empty. 'The long corridors desolately echo the footsteps of the few visitors. The gambling tables have a depressed air; what visitors there are at them are “going slow.” There is none of the carefree speculation of normal years.

But though stakes are low people are still “breaking the bank.” It is curious how it always happens at fhe beginning of the season.

It was a woman in this case. 'She found herself suddenly short of money, went to the tables for the first time, and won, £5,000. Her stake was a modest £2, so she could be reckoned amazingly lucky. V

'Somehow the little goti of luck always hovers over the shoulder of some punter at the beginning of the Monte iC-arlo season. It has happened time and time again. And one result, of course, is that people read the story, their cupidity is aroused, and they rush off to Monte 'Carlo to try their luck. 'But it may not work this year. And if it doesn’t Monte "Carlo will be in a desperate plight. - /■

Every opportunity is. being taken to boost the town with stories of big winnings. Th'eK gamblers who cannot resist such bait wnl pack. ” ' their bags, and descend on “Monte.” They ‘ forget that the other side of the picture is never broadcast. ’ The tragic losers never get publicity unless the tragedy Is so big that they are driven to take their lives.