DUNEDIN GUESSING COMPETITION PROSECUTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13396, 26 January 1907, Page 5

DUNEDIN GUESSING COMPETITION PROSECUTIONS.

SKILL AN INGREDIENT.

[ttY TKLEORAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION'.]

Duxkdi.v, Friday

Mk. Wmnowsox, N.M., gave judgment today in the " guessing competition" case, in which Dorothy Reinhardt was charged with having exhibited a placard to indue© persons to resort, to her millinery store, and take, part in a scheme in w.iich prizes woks to lie gained by the mode of chance. Sir. IJe.sking, for the defence, had urged that there was skill involved in the guessing, which was as to the number of yards of ribbon contained in a roll exhibited in the window. In delivering judgment His Worship said that, he was of opinion that offences against the (laming and Lotteries Act had not been committed in either of the charges laid. English and New Zealand authorities were clear that in order to constitute an offence in respect of a competition, such as the one in question, the result, must depend entirely upon chance, it. not being sufficient that it. depended largely upon chance. If. must !>e held to be proved tint knowledge and experience would materially assist many 'ppople in arriving at an answer. This ele,incut of the factor of skill being an ingredient tnere was no offence against, the (laming and lotteries Act. and both cases would accordingly be dismissed.