GAMBLING FOR CHARITY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18974, 26 March 1936, Page 14

GAMBLING FOR CHARITY

COMMENT BY JUDGE "QUESTIONABLE METHOD" CARD PARTY CASE LONDON, Feb. J. There was a sudden conclusion ill the King's Bench Division yesterday to the case arising out of the Sunderland House charity card party. Air. Justice Finiay withdrew the case from the jury and entered judgment foe the defendant, Jack Trevor Trevor. The judge granted- costs against Keith Hugh William's; the financier and company, promoter, who claimed £IO,OOO, alleging breach of warranty and negligence. The judge held that there was no warranty.

In* giving his decision Mr. Justice Fmlay sam : "1 hardly" ever say anything from the Bench, which does not deal with the matter at issue, but in this case I cannot resist one word, and it is this:

"1 know from personal experience.how extremely difficult it is for charities to raise money in order to carry on their invaluable work; but I feel bound to express the most earnest hope that, after this case, no reputable charity will ever again resort to so questionable methods of raising money as the organisation of gambling parties. "I am bound to say that that way of raising] money should be severely discouraged."

Asked after the case whether he thought any more charity gambling parties would be held, Mr. Trevor said, "1 think anyone who held another would be extremely unwise. In the past 37 years I have collected over £1,000,000 for charity, and although I shall continue my efforts on behalf of hospitals, T shall never associate myself again with a party of the same kind." . CROWDED COURT There were remarkable scenes in court and in- the adjoining corridors throughout yesterday's proceedings. Court iNo. 6 is one of the.smallest in the King's Bench Division and scores of people were turned away from its doors. Before the court opened in the morning there were long queues, four and live deep, outside both the wi tnesses ' anc " tlle puolic entrances. As the day went on the! accommodation was increasingly severely taxed. It was with the greatest difficulty that barristers struggled into their places.

Several times when witnesses were called there was a long wait before they could force their way through the. crowd. More than 200 people finally were admitted to the court, which has a normal capacity of less than 150. The public gallery seats 28; yesterday spectators sat on the floor and stood in the alleyway, so that more than ,40 persons were packed in. In the well of the. court people stood on the steps leading to the witness-box, on ladders, and crowded in the doorways. Most of the spectators were women, many of them fashionably dressed. . <

The majority had been present at the Sunderland House card party and followed, the evidence with evident personal interest.

Throughout the proceedings the doors were kept locked. Every time they were opened there was a wild rush of people outside trying to, get in.