AN IMPROPER GAME.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19952, 20 November 1926, Page 11

AN IMPROPER GAME.

THE PUBLIC DEFEAUDED

SUBSTANTIAL FINES IMPOrJUD,

(Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, November 19.

The charge of playing a game of chance known as "Peg Ja” at the Royal Show was preferred against Thomas Albert Durrau and his son, Thomas Francis Durran, in the Police Court. Chief Detective Cummings describedthe game, and said two shillings were awarded if a player rung one of the front pegs, 4s for pegs in the second row, and 10s for pegs in the rear row. The pegs were placed at an angle away from the players, and it was a physical impossibility for auy person to place a ring over the pegs. The pegs were not quite'firm on the table, and this made the game much more difficult. Chief Detective Cummings said he watched a number of people playing at the game for 20 minutes, and not one got a ring over the pegs! He told the defendants it was a game of chance, and not one of skill Defendants declined to give a demonstration in support of their contention that it was a game of skill. They told witness the game had been played all over New Zealand, nad that witness would only hold himself up to ridicule if he took any action. “One of the defendants also showed me a roll of notes containing several fivers,” said the Chief Detective, “and said he was going to fight the case. I told him we would get some good legal advice for that.” Senior Detective Hammond said he warned the defendants to stop the game, as it was too strong for the public. Witness saw boys and girls playing, defendants taking their money.

Mr Sullivan, who appeared for defendants, suggested that a demonstration should be given in the court room, but after the detectives had made an elaborate preparation the elder defendant flatly declined to give a demonstration on the ground that the table was not the exact size or height. He said he had sold his own table yesterday, and wanted a three weeks’ adjournment.

Mr Sullivan then thanked the Magistrate for consenting to a demonstration, but said that unfortunately he had a client who would not take his advice. “Defendant now says, your Worship, that Constable Hadler, of New Plymouth, can ringisix out of every nine pegs, and he desires to get an adjournment so that he can call him to give evidence,” said Mr Sullivan. So good -was Hadler at the game that he had to be bprred from playing it. Counsel mentioned that there were two other police officers in New Plymouth who could say that the pegs could be covered with a ring.

The Magistrate, Mr F. K. Hunt,: I’ll assume that three men can come here and say that, but against that Chief Detective Cummings and other witnesses have stated that it is an unfair game to tlic public, and that it is a physical impossibility to place the rings on the pegs. I will not grant a three weeks’ adjournment, but I will hear an application later when the defence is opened. Acting-detective Packman, Detective Nalder, and Constable Carroll then gave evidence, all stating that they saw a number of persons playing the game. Not one player succeeded in ringing a peg. Mr Sullivan then said that a surprise had been sprung on him. His clients now stated they could secure well-known local men who had won money playing the game,, one winning £2 and another £1 10s. He therefore asked for an adjournment, ns such evidence was important in view of the police witnesses stating that it was a physical impossibility to play the game with skill. Chief Detective Cummings: I object to another adjournment. The case was adjourned yesterday until this morning. If defendants mislead or misinform their counsel they will have to take the responsibility. In imposing a fine of £25 on each of the defendants and ordering the confiscation of their material, the Magistrate said the game was a most improper one. It defrauded the public, who had no earthly chance of winning.