“ROLL DOWNS”

Southland Times, Issue 19898, 17 June 1926, Page 8

“ROLL DOWNS”

AN ILLEGAL GAME INVERCARGILL PROSECUTION THE CASE ADJOURNED. Since the close of the Exhibition the “roll down” games which were so much in evidence there and proved to be such a remunerative vocation to the promoters, have been set up in various parts of the Dominion. These have proved happy means of bringing in money to several committees in Invercargill. The parlour in Invercargill was instituted by the committee of the Children’s Rest Home, of Dunedin. The Georgetown Hall Committee then took up the idea and it was run successfully for a fortnight under this management. The game, however, has not met with the approval of the police authorities, and yesterday John Henry Kissell, chairman of the North Invercargill Hall Committee, was charged with carrying on a common gaming house in that he used premises situated in the Grand Theatre for the purpose of playing an unlawful game. The prosecution arose out of the recent “roll down” games conducted in the Grand Theatre in order to raise funds for the North Invercargill Hall Committee. Inspector Bird appeared for the prosecution and Mr Gordon Reed for the defendant. Mr Reed stated that according to a newspaper report there was an appeal pending against the decision of Mr E. Page, S.M., of Wellington, in convicting certain persons who had been playing the game. In Christchurch prosecutions for the offence had been adjourned pending the appeal, and counsel asked that this be done in this case as defendant would agree not to “play” in the meantime. Inspector Bird said defendant at the commencement had asked the police their opiniqn as to the games in view of the Wellington decision. He told defendant he would be prosecuted if the game was gone on with. The Magistrate adjourned the case sine die on condition that the game was discontinued. CASE IN AUCKLAND. THREE MEN CHARGED. Auckland, June 16. As the result of a visit by detectives to the Winter Exhibition at Princes wharf, charges of playing games of chance at a show were laid against three men in the Police Court. Maurice Darling (Mr. Allan Moody) was charged with playing a game of chance, called Boxball, and a similar charge was preferred against Frank De Lyall (Mr. Singer). Jesse McCorkindale (Mr. Inder) was charged with playing a game of chance called Sky Ally. Mr. Singer stated that the summonses in all three cases were served on Tuesday afternoon, and counsel found it impossible to go on with the cases. Appeals were pending in prosecutions of a similar nature in the south, and he submitted that it would be proper for the court to adjourn the charges until the results of the appeals became known. “The objection we have to an adjournmen is that these games are still going on” stated Senior-Detective Hammond. He added that excessive profits were being made. Mr. Inder stated that it would only be a matter of a few days before the Winter Show was closed. To say that the public would be demoralised and robbed in that short time would be stretching the matter too far. “People have been fleeced ever since the time of Adam” stated the Magistrate, Mr. Poynton. Mr. Singer: That is not the point your Worship. It is whether these are games of chance or not. Mr. Hammond: They are a public nuisance. Mr Singer (heatedly): They are not charged with that. These people have paid a considerable sum to the Auckland Harbour Board for permission to play. Mr. Inder suggested that the Magistrate m ; ght like to take a stroll down to the Winter Show to see the games for himself. Mr. Singer: Yes, we would be only too pleased to entertain your Worship. (Laughter). At this stage it was decided to adjourn the case until Monday next.