GREAT ITALIAN GAMBLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19253, 16 February 1926, Page 9

GREAT ITALIAN GAMBLE.

PEOPLE LOTTERY MAD. TREASURY GAINS BENEFIT. HUNCHBACK; TIPSTER'S FAME. By Telegraph—Press Association— -Copyright. (Received 5.5 p.m.) A.. and N.Z BOME. Feb. M. The people of Italy apparently forgot the controversy between the Prime Minister, Signor Mussolini, and the German Foreign Minister, Ilerr Stresemann, in their interest - concerning the State lottery •which culminated yesterday in excitement which rose to very high pitch. A hunchback named Torraca had formerly forecasted the winning numbers in lotteries with ' extraordinary accuracy. He never' backed his own tips but was always content- with gifts from those who benefited by them. As a consequence he was regarded as a herb and a seer. Whereas he had formerly lived in poverty in the village of San Ferdinando he was recently presented with a palatial house. The Mayor is said to have won £IO,OOO through Torraca's tips. Many girls won large doweries. The hunchback was besieged for tips in connection with the latest lottery. It is estimated that 50,000 people crowded into San Ferdinando in the last few days to seek him, such is his fame. The whole country is absorbed in gambling, and scarcely a household in Italy is without a ticket in the present lottery. Unfortunately for them this time Torraca has not been successful. He gave the number 33.48 instead of the winning number 34.49. Subscribers ascribed the error to over-tiredness, and Torraca complained that he had no time to make his elaborate calculations. The latest news is that he has disappeared. He fled in a motor-car. from the village in order to escape from the wrath of those who believed in his infallibility. It is estimated that £250,000 was lost in ' Naples alone. Palermo lost £125,000. Never have the Italian people suffered so but, the State has gained enormously. It is estimated that Torraca was responsible for the pouring into the coffers of the State of over £BOO,OOO, sufficient to pay the annual charges of the debt to Britain and AmericaOne office in Naples had to suspend operations owing to the density of the crowd. Toracca ■is said to have foretold the winning numbers in State lotteries in Italy for three successive weeks, and residents of his home town of San Ferdinando thus won £12,000. They carried Toracca through the streets, presented him with a beautiful home, and showered presents, on him. Toracca -declared- that his system was based on a cabalistic 'rifle" bequeathed to him by his father, who also possessed psychic powers. ' The' rule enjoined that the user should not bet himself, but might only receive voluntary gifts from beneficiaries. San Ferdinando has been enjoying a perpetual fete. Many marriages which had.been prevented by poverty have been celebrated.