FINE FOR PROMOTING A WHIST-DRIVE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15123, 14 October 1912, Page 5

FINE FOR PROMOTING A WHIST-DRIVE.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] London, September, 7. ; Another, whist-drive ' prosectitipn took place at the Lambeth Police Court; when Mr. Arthur Ernest Winder, .was « sum.-. moned for having on various dates, used the Clapham Central Hall, Clapham Road, for the purpose of unlawful gaming. Mr. E. .F. Barker supported the summons on .behalf of the Commissioner of Police, and Mr. Winder was represented by Mr. Walter' Frampton, instructed •by Messrs. C. J. Smith Hudson, solicitors to the Whist-drive Protection League of Great Britain. ,■ . "Mr. Winder carried on whist-drives at the" Clapham Central Hall," said Mr. Barker, "and has done so for some considerable time past. I do not wish to say a word against the .ray in which the drives were conducted. They were, no doubt, admirably and most fairly conducted, and the people who frequented them in hundreds were of a most respectable class; in, fact, everything has been conducted in as admirable a manner as could be. The only thing 1 can say is ; > that such drives are illegal according to a recent decision of the High Court." Mr. Frampton said he had advised his client that, this case came. within that decided by the High Court in April last, and by his advice Mr. Winder would plead guilty to permitting unlawful gam.-, :.' ing on one date. ■ . "The Commissioner of Police, feels that in view of the High Court decision he must interfere in these- cases," said Mr., Barker, " They may be blameless enough in themselves, but it is.not for me to say,, and it is not for the police to say." '..'. ."* "It is the.fact,". added Mr.. Frampton, "that Mr. Winder, who is an . entertainment caterer, has been running ,whistdrives" for • some time.. It is equally true that he has,been. running them without any complaint whatever. He knew. thatin a certain case in the High Court it was decided that whist.under certain circumstances was a game of chance, but ho thought that the conditions under which his drives, were conducted differed. Whether the law will remain good law or not . remains to bo seen. Steps will be taken .to test the. decision." _. ~'. .■,,-", .-. ; The magistrate said it was his. duty to inflict such a penalty as would let people know, that they must not .continue, carrying on .whist-drives, .Mr.. Winder would have to pay a penalty of 40s,,<and. ; £3 5* COStfij, "'•'■• ".