CHRISTCHURCH NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 8 April 1927, Page 8

CHRISTCHURCH NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

CHRISTCHURCH, April 7.

SUMMER AGAIN

The weather to-day was like a return to summer, being beautifully fine and warm.

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

At tlie request of the Duke and Duchess of York, the Prime Minister lias asked that all schools be granted extra holidays at Easter, in commemoration of the Royal Visit. The schools under the jurisdiction of tlie CanterBury Education Board will close on 'Thursday, April 14, until tlie. following Wednesday. News has been received that the Governor-General has appointed May 2 as the date for tho Electoral Boundary Commission to meet in Wellington. Revision of electoral boundaries takes place after every census. By the last revision trie North Island was given a representation of 45 members and the South Island 31. It is expected that after the coming revision, the South Island will lose one more seat, possibly two.

LOGGING HOLLAND. Messrs li. NY. England (Fendalton) and H. Ragg (New Brighton) state that they picked up transmissions from the short wave station P.C.J.J., Eindhoven, Holland. This morning Mr England heard P.C.J.J. at 8.1 1 o clock, using a two-valvc received (one detector and one audio), receiver the volume was so great that he listened to half tlie transmission on the loud speaker. A GAME OE CHANCE. A scheme which occurred to a Christchurch business man, whereby he might encourage patronage oy. oicenng prospective customers a chance of whining a prize, resulted, in his prosecution and conviction for an offence under the Gaming Act. Tlie snopkeeper was Reginald Henry Stillwell, mercer, home time ago, the police noticed in Ins window an electro-plated tea-set, along with a placard bearing the words “Lucky sales docket competition.” Tins tea set free to the winner. Every customer receives a numbered docket, which enables him to take part in the competition.” The charge was that he exhibited a placard, whereby it was made to appear that the premises were used for taking part in a scheme whereoy a prize could he gained by chance. Defendant was represented by ulr Sargent, and pleaded not guilty. SuUweli sand that the idea was to issue a numbered docket to every person making a purchase in his shop. The names and addresses of the purchasers were written on the dockets, and it was his intention to* draw one docket from the number held, about the mkid.x oi March, and give to the person named on tlie dockufc the tea sot exhibited.

After hearing evidence, Mr E. D. Mosley reserved judgment, which was given to-day.

The Magistrate said it appeared that tlie important word constufTting- the offence was ‘‘exhibit.” The facts were admitted by defendant. Betting was not in itself prohibited by the Gaming Act, but disposal of goods by means of a lottery was absolutely prohibited by statute. The exhibiting of a placard, whereby it was made to appear that any premises) were kept open and used for the purpose of taking part in any scheme, whereby a prize was gained by a mode of chance was absolutely prohibited. When a person exhibited a tho offence was complete. la nfs opinion, defendant must be convicted. In the circumstances a fine of 10s and costs would meet the case, and would advertise the fact that such schemes could not be engaged in without making the person liable to prosecution under the GamineAct.