THE GAMING ACT.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 1977, 19 November 1921, Page 5

THE GAMING ACT.

A MAGISTERIAL WARNING. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Last Night. In imposing a penalty of 20/ each on Richard Barter and Arthur W. Thompson for selling prize envelopes in connection Avith the Labour Day celebrations, Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M., said he had recently imposed a nominal penalty in a similar case, and the defendant afterwards stopped him in the street and thanked him, saying he had fully expected to have been fined £5 or £lO, and even that would have paid. It appeared that he knew all the time that he was liable to severe consequences, and the Magistrate and the Court had been bluffed. “I mean to say that the Act has been in operation for 37 years, and it is time it was enforced properly," continued the Magistrate. “People who do this sort of thing have light penalties imposed, and just laugh at the Court. It is just as well that people should now learn the risk they run. They are liable to a fine of £2OO for the first offence, and six months’ imprisonment for the second. This will be the last nominal penalty.”