STATE LOTTERY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19513, 16 February 1926, Page 7

STATE LOTTERY

ALL ITALY EXCITED HUNCHBACK’S FALL FROM GRACE COLOSSAL SUMS LOST By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright. ROME, Feb. 14. The whole of Italy .forgot the Mus-solini-Stresemann controversy in the State lottery culminating yesterday, with excitement at its highest pitch. A hunchback named Torraca had lately been forecasting winning numbers with extraordinary accuracy. He never backed his own tips, but was always content with gifts from those who had benefited from them, in consequence of which he was regarded as a hero and seer. Whereas formerly he lived in poverty in the village of San Fcrdinando, he had lately been pres-ented with a palatial house. The mayor is said to have won £lO- - through Torraca’s tips. Many girls won large dowries. He was besieged for tips for the latest lottery. It is estimated that 50,000 people crowded into San Ferdinando during the last few days to seek news, and such was his fame that the whole country was absorbed in gambling. There was scarcely a household in Italy without a ticket in the latest lottery. Unfortunately,, this time Torraca was unsuccessful. He gave 33.48 instead of the winning number 33.49. Subscribers ascribed the error to over-tiredness. Torrtaca complained that he did not have time to make elaborate calculations. The latest is that he has disappeared, having fled in a motor car from the village to escape the wrath of those who had believed in his infallibility. It is estimated that £250,000 was lost in Naples alone and in Palermo £125,000. Never had the Italian people suffered so Severely, but the State has gained enormously. THE HUNCHBACK PROPHET NATION'S COFFERS BENEFIT SOME, Feb. 14. It is estimated that Torraca was responsible for pouring into the coffers of the State 1,000,000,000 lira, sufficient to pay the annual charges .on the debt t 6 Britain and America. One office in Naples had to suspend operations owing to the density of the crowd. Faith in the prophet may wane, because to-day there has been no report of any numbers given by him being successful.