ILLEGAL LOTTERY SCHEME

Taranaki Daily News, 21 June 1928, Page 11

ILLEGAL LOTTERY SCHEME

PRIZES GIVEN FOR NUMBERS THOUGHT TO BE LEGAL IN BRITAIN PROSECUTION Al” INVERCARGILL. By Telegraph.—Frees Association. Invercargill, Last Night. His reserved decision in a case in which John Smith, proprietor of a large drapery emporium, was charged with running a lottery by which prizes were gained by a mode of chance, was given by the magistrate here to-day. Defendant was the originator of a scheme whereby numbered articles in a window could be claimed by persons holding corresponding numbers, which were distributed through the province printed on the replica of a key appearing in the circulars. According to the legal profession there is no reported ease of such a lottery being held to be illegal in England, so the present prosecution was looked upon in the nature of a test ease.

Th© magistrate held that the scheme was a lottery, 'but said defendant was advised by counsel that it was legal and he inaugurated it in a public spirit to assist the May Fair celebrations. Defendant would be fined £.2.

Counsel asked the magistrate whether he would withhold entering a conviction until he had conferred with his client; they might ask that the fine be increased to over £S in order to appeal against the decision. This was agreed to.