Two Houses and Car Won by Ship’s Officer In Australian Lottery

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27043, 30 March 1949, Page 4

Two Houses and Car Won by Ship’s Officer In Australian Lottery

Two houses, a Jaguar motor car, and an income for life—all for the outlay of a shilling—have been won by a former third officer of the intercolonial steamer Waipori, which is at present in Dunedin. The ship’s officer is Mr H. S. Walton, who held the winning ticket in the Australian War Veterans’ £25,000 Art Union which was drawn on Monday night.

Under the impression that Mr Walton was still on board the Waipori, Sydney newspapers sent cablegrams to the Daily Times yesterday, requesting stories about the lucky investor or an interview with him. When a reporter visited the ship, however, he learnt that Mr Walton had left her in Sydney just before her present voyage to New Zealand, and was studying at the Navigation School there for a first mate’s certificate. He had been on the Waipori for two years. Shipmates of Mr Walton expressed delight at his good fortune, but were naturally disappointed that they could not share in his celebrations. Many of them alsp had tickets in the same lottery. “Strike me pink! ’ exclaimed the present third officer, “ I hope our luck holds.” Another officer, however, was 'rather pessimistic. “ Our luck is gone now,” he said. “We cant do it a second time.” ~ Mr Walton was born at Lyttelton, but he is now living in Sydney.'About 32 years old, he is still single but is engaged to be married. His father, Captain S. Walton, is a retired marine superintendent of the New Zealand Shipping Company in Sydney. The art union is run in Australia by the equivalent of the RSA in New Zealand, and the profits go towards various charities and building funds. ihe tickets advise the winner to live n one house, let the other, and relax in the car” The first prize is worth £IO,OOO and the “income for life.is derived from letting the unfurnished Other prizes are almost as generous. The second is a two-unit house valued of e (1907 the third a cream brick £2628, and.the fourth a .Taeuar saloon worth £1509. utner motor cars, motor cycles, refrigerators and washing machines are- included m the list of prizes, which total 181.