EUCHRE TOURNAMENTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3860, 6 March 1928, Page 7

EUCHRE TOURNAMENTS.

QUESTION OF THEIR LEGALITY, CHRISTCHURCH, February 27. It is probable that the decision of Mr Justice Adams that euchre tournaments conducted for profit are illegal may be taken on appeal to the Full Court. The decision is so far-reaching in its effect that it is felt that the matter should not be left where it stands at present. A solicitor expressed the opinion this morning that the judgment applied to progressive bowling tournaments, which are conducted on the same .principle as euchre tournaments. In progressive doubles, which are held by most bowling clubs to raise funds, the leads and skips change after each game, and prizes are awarded to the skip and the lead who gain the most points. Bowling, unlike cards, is purely a game of skill; but the clement of chance enters into progressive doubles owing to the players not knowing who they will have as partners in each game. In his judgment, Mr Justice Adams laid it down that it was immaterial whether the game was one of skill, or mixed skill and chance, or of pure chance. Under this ruling it is felt that tournament games other than card games come within the provisions of the Gaming Act. In fact, the solicitor said he thought that possibly the annual championship tournament of the Dominion Bowling Association might be declared illegal, because it was conducted by the association for the purposes of profit, and money prizes were awarded to the winners and runners-up. Other sports associations also might find themselves similarly affected, remarked the solicitor. The question of taking further action with a view to removing the matter beyond all doubt was dismissed at a meeting of the promoters of euchre tournaments held on Saturday night. A public meeting of euchre and whist players and alt otheis interested will be held to-morrow night when the whole question will be fully disin the meantime euchre and whist tournaments are suspended.

A LOCAL PROSECUTION. I Among those who took part in a progressive euchre tournament at the \v aratah Tea Rooms on the evening of January 28 was a detective, who paid for admission in the ordinary way and joined the players. As a result of his observations William Thomas Rowlands was char- d with that*, having the use of the Waratah Tea Rooms, he did use them as a common gaming house. Chief Detective Cameron said that the defendant was the promoter of progressive euchre tournaments oil Saturday evenings, and decisions in Christchurch and Auckland bad brought them under the Gaming Act. Otherwise the defendant was not a gamester and was a decent man. The Magistrate: Even though he plays euchre? The Chief Detective said that the defendant charged 2s 6d for admission. The organisation was not remunerative, and. he cleared only about £1 or 30s nightly. The Magistrate: Is it very detrimental to public mor'als? The Chief Detective said that the, position in regard to euchre “ drives ” had been finally determined by Mr Justice Adams in a decision which upset that of a magistrate. For the defendant, Mr W. Ruffell said that money prizes had not been given, but there were orders on city business houses. It was the first case of > its kind in Dunedin, and he submitted that a nominal penalty would meet thg case. The Chief Detective said he wished to make it clear that persons who took part in such games were liable to be charged. He asked that the penalty be made to include costs.

In reply to a question, lie stated that 2s 6d was paid for the admission of tha detective.

The Magistrate: Did he play? The Chief Detective: Yes. I know a lot of people think it is a joke, but it means breaking the law.

In entering a conviction against the defendant the Magistrate said that the matter was not one which called for a penalty.