PRIZES BY CHANCE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11423, 20 January 1923, Page 15

PRIZES BY CHANCE

UNUSUAL, SUMMONS CASE. WAS IT A LOTTERY? An unusual summons case was heard before Mir E. Page, S.M., at yesterday’s sitting of the Magistrate’s Court. James Hill and Royal Harrell, trading as Hid, Hqrrell and Go., 41a, Courtenay were ' dh'ajjgdd Tvith; establishing a Sehenie. whereby prizes were obtained.by chance. Seven charges of managing a lottery were also preferred against them —October 7th, October 14th, October 21st, October 28th, November 4th, November Tlth, and November 18th. Sub-Inspector Cummings prosecuted, and Mr Mazenganb appeared: on behalf of the defendants. ‘.‘Briefly, the facts of the case are,” Baid the aub-inspector, “that the two accused carry on business at 41a, Courtenay place, as clothiers. The town has been canvassed by tne-defendants for subscribers to a scheme with a view to advertising the company’s business, A subscriber paid 2s a week towards the scheme, and on 90s being paid in the subscriber received 90s worth of clothing. Apart from this a selection was made each week from among ’ the subscriber’s of the most likely person to advertise the company’s business. -To her was given 90s worth of goods irrespective of what she might have paid in. Fifty-five weeks were covered, by a subscriber before she reoived her 90s worth of goods. Tnere were about 500 subscribers to’ the scheme, ;

“Now, sir, it ia obvious jthat the company has the use of the money all the time. A sum of £SO a week is received from subscribers, and the prize given each week only amounts to £4 10s. The scheme is evidently a very -•profitable one for the company. The company has the use of the money for 45 weeks before the subscribers get anything. The defendants reserve the right to select the person.” Mr Mazengarb, appearing for the defendants, said that the scheme .was by no means a; new one. In Australia many suoh-like schemes were in existence. Only one prosecution had taken place in Australia, and that had failed. Mr Hill was the inside manager and Air Harrall went round among the customers-—firstly, to see whether they had been acquainted with the soheme; secondly, to get information about the subscribers ag was available; and thirdly, to collect tne weekly instalment. James Hill said ’he was for two years managing a firm in Australia where the scheme was in vogue. They had never cast lots to see who would be selected. There were several reasons for selecting persons, suoh as personality); social standing, of the positions they held. 1 ‘ ..hen the first lady was selected, did she not have trouble in getting her goods?” queried the sub-inspector.—. answered the witness. f Were they not sent out in two or three lots?—No. The magistrate reserved his decision.