A “SURPRISE NIGHT.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20704, 30 April 1929, Page 12

A “SURPRISE NIGHT.”

PRIZES FOR THEATRE PATRONS. UNSUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION, (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, April 29. Holding that there was no hint of chance in the scheme, Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court to-day, dismissed an information laid against Lester Sinclair, manager of the Empress Theatre, who was alleged to have distributed prizes by chance at his theatre. Sinclair pleaded not guilty to a charge of hhving allotted sacks of coal, clothing, and jewellery among persons by chance on a night advertised in the press as a “surprise night.” According to Detective Sergeant Kelly, Sinclair had advertised a “surprise night.” He had turned his back on the audience and then called out the numbers of seats in the theatre, awarding prizes to those occupying them. When asked to explain the method of allotment, Sinclair said he used to stand near the ticket box in the vestibule and watch patrons in the queue. He would take a note of four or five patrons, and after they had purchased tickets he would follow them into the theatre and write down the number of the seat and the row in which they were sitting. Then he would go outside and repeat the performance until he had awarded in this manner about 30 prizes. During the programme he would go on the stage with a hat containing the numbers of the seats occupied by the prizewinners and then surprise people by announcing his decisions. The magistrate said ho could not see that chance entered into the scheme. 'I he charge would be dismissed.