READY FOR THE DRAW.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18286, 25 March 1931, Page 7

READY FOR THE DRAW.

FREE STATE SWEEPSTAKE

ARMED POLICEMEN ON GUARD.

BOOKMAKERS LOOK FOR BUSINESS

United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright.

DUBLIN, March 23

The gigantic Irish Free State sweepstake on the Grand National to be rpn on Saturday produced a remarkable scene in the Mansion House, Dublin, to-day. Three hundred girls were employed at seven long trestle tables throughout the day in mixing the 3.567,000 counterfoils of the 10s tickets sold.

After this thorough mixing process the counterfoils were placed in a great steel drum ready for the draw tomorrow. Armed policemen are to guard the drum day and night till the drawing takes place. An interesting feature is the presence in Dublin of 60 bookmakers who are ready to make offers to those who draw certain horses as soon as the results of the drawing are announced.

LATER

LARGE BUM INVOLVED.

£1,181,815 ALLOCATED TO PRIZES

BRITONS SUCCESSFUL IN DRAW

United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received March 25, 9.20 a.m.) DUBLIN, March 24.

It is officially announced that the total receipts of the Grand National Sweepstake amounted to £1,755,963, and the prize money £1,181,815. The first prize will be £354,544, the second £177,272 and the third £llß,lßl. A great crowd awaited the result of the draw. Women linguists, one with a knowledge of Chinese, were ready to communicate the results to all parts of the world from which tickets came, but with the exception of one South African,, all the drawers of horses are residents in Britain.

LUCKY LONDON INVESTORS.

DRAW SEVEN PROBABLE RUNNERS

ASSURED OF £l2Bl EACH

United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright.

(Received March 25, 10.30 a.m.)

LONDON, March 24

Much 'to Ireland’s disappointment thirteen horses,-including seven probable runners, have been drawn by Londoners, who are assured of the minimum of £l2Bl a-piece. An Italian cafe-keeper at Battersea Park, with forty relatives, all shareholders, and a Lambeth grocer hold Isola and Melleray’s belle. The staff of the Y.M.C.A. Hostel at Clapham Road, despite the attitude of the institution regarding horse-racing hold Drimmond.