EUCHRE TOURNEYS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1928, Page 1

EUCHRE TOURNEYS

AUCKLAND'MEETING OF PROTEST. AUCKLAND, March 8. Claiming there Avas 110 harm in the game, which engendered a social .spirit. and had 110 effect' in the encouragement of gambling, a meeting of card players in Auckland protested against the ban placed on progressive euchre tournaments by the recent decision of Mr Justice Adams iii Christchurch. Resolutions of protest will be forwarded to the Minister for Justice and the Minister Tor Internal Affairs. “A few weeks ago a progressive

euchre tournament 1 was interested in was stopped,” said Air L. H. Crawford, convenor of the meeting. “We bud built a new school out of funds directly derived from such tournaments. There is still a mortgage on the school, and our hopes of wiping it 'off have now vanished.” The speaker commented on the fact that tournaments bad been stopped in some districts while no action had been taken in other places. They should pres; for an amendment of the law. Explaining that he represented 200 euclire players in Onehunga and Te Papapa districts, Air N. Bonziard said it was not right that the freedom of the people should lie hampered by one person. Air Justice Adams, particularly as the Judges themselves differed as to whether or not progressive euclire was illegal. A hall at Te Papapa had beep, built from Tunds raised by euclire tournaments, but the ban had placed the committee in a serious position. Air Crawford: Air Justice Adams had to go hack 75 years to find a law to ban euchre. It also bans progressive bowls, and all progressive games, even a waltzing competition! “I have 110 desire to foster ■ anything of a gambling nature.- The Government has a monopoly of that, and is welcome to it," said the chairman, Air A. Nixon. “AVe will support the Government in its endeavour to Stop euchre parties with $lO prizes. •hVtt we want to ‘Our social par-

ties, where only small prizes are offered.' Euchre has brought a better reeling among the people than all the politicians.” He expressed the view that the legislation should be amended to control euchre parties by stipulating the ihaximum ' vttjite of ‘ the prize*,

A resolution of protest was’ carried. This expressed agreement with i|ia Government’s desire to eliminate the gambling element, but pressed for the retention of euchre parties for worthy objects, such Us school and social fwujt, wlisra wily homi«»P pYjws'wsi ntj'efedi