EUCHRE TOURNAMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21716, 3 February 1934, Page 12

EUCHRE TOURNAMENTS

LEGALITY OF FIXTURES REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW EXPLANATION BY MINISTER [by telegraph—own correspondent] WELLINGTON, Friday Many committees controlling public schools and kindred institutions include euchre parties in their plans to raise funds to make more comfortable and attractive the conditions of the children. With some committees card parties have been the principal means by which money was raised to add to tho amenities of the school life. Until the passing, last session of Parliament, of the Card Tournaments Regulation Act, there was a lurking fear in the minds of school committees that they were breaking the gaming laws of tho Dominion by holding euchre parties. There was a case in the South Island some time ago in which the Court held that a breach of the Gaming Act had been committed because a charge for admission was made to one of these parties, at which prizes were offered. Judging from the number of inquiries made, there is still some doubt as to what precisely is the position of euchre parties under the new law. The Minister of Justice, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, said to-day that permits to hold card tournaments are not required. They may be lawfully held if the provisions of the Card Tournaments Regulation Act are complied with. The principal requirements of tho Act, said the Minister, are:— The net proceeds must be devoted to some charitable purpose within the meaning of the Religious, Charitable and Educational Trusts Not less than seven days' notice must be given to tho officers in charge of the nearest police station of the time and place fixed for the holding of the tournament, of the admission fee, or other charge to be made, of the prizes proposed to bo given, and the purpose to which the proceeds are to be devoted. In the case of a series of card games or tournaments extending over a period of not more than six months, one such notice is sufficient if given seven days before the first of the series. Any prize given to the winner or other person taking part in tho tournament must not be a monetary ono and must not exceed £1 in value.