EUCHRE TOURNAMENTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 68

EUCHRE TOURNAMENTS.

SEQUEL TO TEST RULING. DEFENDANT CONVICTED AND DISCHARGED. CHRISTCHURCH, March 6. * I have not the slightest intention o( penalising the defendant except- that he will have to pay .£l5, the amount of iha Supremo Court costs,” said Mr E D Mosley, S.M when William Alfred Britten appeared for sentence on a charge that on October 17, having the use of premises known as the Sydenham Football Hall, ba used them as a common gaming house. The defendant was convicted and discharged. The defendant appeared as the result of a successful Supreme Court appeal by thfl Crown against the magisterial dismissal of the charge against him. Mr Justice Adams held that euchre tournaments constituted a game of chance and were therefore illegal. Mr Mosley’s remarks were macle as Mr Sargent, who appeared for the defendant, was about to make a statement. The Magistrate, after stating that the defendant was convicted and ordered o pay £l3, the amount of costs in the Supreme Court, remarked, in reply to Mr Sargent, that the Supreme Court was well able to secure its own costs. In some few cases the costs of the higher court were irdored in thd lower. The defendant would be convicted and discharged. Mr Sargent: He is convicted without penalty, then? The Magistrate: Yes.