CALCUTTA SWEEP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22546, 13 April 1935, Page 14

CALCUTTA SWEEP

RECENT POLICE RAID PROMOTERS HEAVILY FINED (Per United Press Association) TE AROHA, April 12. A case arising out of a .police raid on February 22 at the Masonic Hall, on tne occasion of a Calcutta sweepstake being held, was heard to-day before Mr f. H. Levien, S.M. Thomas Stanley Wyllie, clerk, of Te Puke, was charged .with using the Masonic Hall of Te Aroha as a common gaming house, and Samuel Wilson, auctioneer, of le Aroha, witn assisting in the proceedings. Mr F. Hopkins appeared for Wyllie and Mr C. A. Arthur for Wilson. Inspector Thompson stated that on February 22 detectives and police raided the Masortic Hall, where a Calcutta sweepstake was being conducted. Over £IOO was on the table, which was taken, and one horse engaged in the Champion Hack race was auctioned for £2B. Mr Hopkins submitted that Calcutta sweeps had long been held in different parts of New Zealand. The proceedings were the outcome of a sporting withering held at Te Aroha in the annual race week, when a mild form of gambling was indulged in by sportsmen assembled ill the only one evening of the year. No warning whatever had been received. Mr Arthur submitted that Wilson only acted as auctioneer to oblige, the assembled snortsmen, and knowing that Calcutta sweeps had been held before, he acted in sheer ignorance of the law on the subject. Wyllie was fined £2O and coste (15s), and Wilson £5 and costs (15s).