THE GAMING ACT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16942, 17 January 1923, Page 9

THE GAMING ACT.

TIMARU CONVICTIONS. (Special to the “Star.”) TIMARU, January 16. The proceedings recently taken against helpers in the Bay carnival, who were convicted and lined under tho Gaming Act of 1908 for establishing and conducting lotteries and games of chance, ha\ r e proved a topic of much discussion in Timaru, and it noAv appears that the convicting of the six helpers in ihe carnival is likely to have far-reaching effects. The regulation for the exclusion of undesirables from racecourses provide for the prohibition of persons who have been convicted of an offence under the Gaining Act, 1908. In this connection, however, there is a sub-clause which, it is understood, will be adopted, by the South Canterbury Jockey Club and the Timaru Trotting Club, to the effect that, providing the Stipendiary Stewards Committee appointed by the Trotting Conference or the Racing Conference, is satisfied by evidence, as to character and otherwise, that any person who by reason of any conA'iction, comes within the scope of the regulation, should be. exempted, they may grant exemption. Although this matter can thus be got over, there are other effects following on tlie convictions which will not be so easily dodged. The Public Servico regulations provide that any employee. on conviction for a criminal offence, shall tender his resignation forthwith, and this will affect at least one of the convicted men, AA'ho, it appears, will have to lose his position simply because he assisted to raise money for A\'hat is conceded to be a very laudable public object. The names of the convicted men are circulated throughout the country in the Police Gazette, and. indeed, tlie law provides that any person w*ho buys any ticket in any lottery on any scheme prohibited by the Gaming Act is liable to a fine of £lO. Thus, everyone who bought surprise packets, or took part in any of the games at the carnival, was liable to be fined, and have his or her name circulated in the Police Gazette as a declared criminal. It is, perhaps. fortunate for the success oi the carnival that these things were not knoAvu before it took place. It is understood that a movement- is afoot to haA’e a peti tit ion sent round and that a public meeting may be held to endeavour to bring representations before the Minister of Justice to have the names of the convicted persons crrased from the criminal records.