An Illegal Lottery at Conisborough

William Cummings, auctioneer Rotherham, was charged with publicly holding a lottery in a van at Conisborough on June 9.

Police Sgt normal stated that offence was committed on the Denaby Road, Conisborough. The defendant and two other men were on an option van with a large crowd around. The defendant was selling penny packets, which contain a song, and some had the name of an article written upon the song but many were “ blanks.”

The defendant was told proceedings would be taken against him, and he then said he would “give up and sell by auction.”

The next day the defendant went to Askern, where the summons was served upon him.

A witness named George Edmunds, said he was employed by Mrs Cummings, who was the owner of the van. He had been previously in concert halls for 11 years. The songs which were sold were composed by himself. He had sold as many as 2000 in one week for a penny each before being employed by Mrs Cummings.

He had travelled with the van in 42 towns in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire and Leicester and had never been interfered with.

Lord Auckland said the magistrates was satisfied the defendant and rendered himself liable to the conditions of the Act under which he was charged. The defendant was evidently the manager, to a certain extent, of a lottery, which was an illegal act, and thus brought himself under the Vacancy Act.

At the same time the magistrates did not think there had been a very great mischief done, but it must be a caution for the future.

A fine of 2s 6d and 13 shillings costs was imposed.