IRISH FREE STATE.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18394, 30 July 1931, Page 9

IRISH FREE STATE.

A “SWEEP” PROBLEM. THE “WATER” IN THE DRUM. (From a Correspondent.) DUBLIN, .Tune 14. A favourite amusement of the sweepstake enthusiasts is to calculate the odds of drawing a prize. The calculation seems simple—there are so .many prizes and so much money, each pound of which represents two tickets. It is, however, not quite so simple. There are two free tickets in every book of twelve tickets, and if all these are taken up the total of the tickets, as revealed by cash receipts, must be increased by 10 per cent. There is, moreover, the possibility, which the Act seems to permit, that further free tickets may be issued in payment for services. The calculator of odds, therefore, must have regard not only to the money but to the “water” in the drum. This matter is one of public concern in that it bears on the cost of expenses, and affects the ultimate amount both of the hospital share and the prize fund. By the regulating Act free tickets are definitely excluded from the category of expenses, but in reality they are an expense—even though hidden —just the same as a cash payment. The proper way to satisfy all curiosity is for the audited accounts —those from the Grand National are duo within ten days—to show on the receipt side the total number of tickets in the drum and set off as an outgoing the value of the free issue. 'Phis would reveal all the elements in the case. Froe Ticket’s Value. There is, of course, the further connected item of ticket value. On the assumption that all free tickets are sent in, each ticket—there arc twelve in a book costing £s—has a value of 8s 4d. It is, however, common knowledge that books can be bought in quantity at less than £o, but it is not clear whether this dis-. count or commission is passed in by agents out of their free tickets allowance or whether it is part of the expenses of the undertaking. This doubt could also be, resolved if the total number of tickets was known. I am most anxious that nobody should read Into my remarks any suggestion that everything is not straight and proper. It is well known that tile expenses of such a far-flung and successful organisation must be high, I am only suggesting that the public has a right to know the real costs and not merely the cash disbursements. With regard to the security, the audit, and the absolute fairness of the draw, the public need have no shadow of doubt or alarm. The Hospital Share. While on this question of sweepstakes it Is of interest to note that rate-supported hospitals are to get in future one-third of the hospital fund, which latter is 25 per cent, of the total cash receipts. Tills money is to be spent on improvements approved by the Minister of Public Health. Inasmuch as none of the money will be spent on maintenance, it is not to be regarded as a grant In aid of rates — a fiction which is puzzling to the plain man. In the meantime, owing to the rigidity of the law, which confines the- benefit to. hospitals, , well-deserv-ing and voluntary institutions like tho Jubilee and Dudley Nurses and the Richmond Home for the Blind cannot participate. This Is hardly consistent. St. Oolumba’s College. St. Columba’s College, Rathfarnam, a sister college to Radley and Glenalmond, has held its annual prizegiving. Other public schools may be richer in buildings and endowments, but none boast a finer natural setting. It lies at the foot of the Dublin mountains under the shadow of Tibraddan, amid the scent and flame of the gorse, and commanding a, superb view of Dublin Bay and the Howth Peninsula. The chapel and school buildings are built round a Georgian house of Ireland’s best architectural period, simple and spacious, enriched with stucco decoration, of dignity and restraint. Tho entrance hall is lined with panelling presented by Magdalen College, Oxford; one room is lined with fine Dutch tapestry and contains the celebrated book shrine of St. Columba. The college is modelled on publio school traditions, with the prefcctural system, and its scholarship record shows that its schools and curriculum are up to date. It has educated many distinguished men, including Sir Ricliard Jebb, the Greek scholar, all the Gwynn family, one of whom is now Provost of Trinity College, Rex Ingram, the noted film producer, and two present Bishops of the Church of Ireland. Nearly 400 old boys served In the war, and eighty-two names are on the Roll of Honour. Now that political separation is leading to solcal solidarity, parents of Anglo-Irish tradition might well consider the advantages offered by a school of this type allied with Trinity College, Dublin. Home education need not mean insularity or isolation, because the outlook of these institutions is wide, their sympathies with the world are strong, and many of tholr sons have made careors abroad. Tho association, during Impressionable years, of a small Influential section of the Irish people will foster a sane racial oullook, and tend to interest and co-oper-ation in national affairs. There is the further advantage—no small one in those days—that fees are reasonable —£loo a year for board and tuition, £9O for a young brother, and with six option oxtras not exceeding £3O a year. Why science should be an extra Is puzzling—perhaps this Is a remnant of tho publio school tradition. Rogulatlng Potatoes. Potatoes arc the next commodity lo be regulated and so follow the fate (or good fortune) of butter, eggs and bulls. Willi this object a Bill of 37 clauses lias been Introduced. Exporters are to be licensed, their premises registered, inspection fees paid, and apparatus prescribed. The methods of grading, packing and marking are to be regulated, inspectors have the right of free access everywhere and anywhere; and registration can be cancelled for any offence against regulations made under the Act. Tho measure Is of the standard type to which we have become accustomed. If it tends to better prices or more profit lo growers it will be welcome.. Farmers at the moment are in a sorry plight and will clutch at any straw.