THE GAMING ACT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 61, 5 December 1907, Page 6

THE GAMING ACT.

THE BOOKMAKERS AND THE CLUBS. ■A number of local and other, bookmakers have.had an informal conference Witli. officials of tho Wellington Racing Club.' Discussion took place as to tho terms on which' the bookmakers will -be licensed at the club's meetings, but no definite,understanding was arrived at.- Some .of tho bookmakers' who aro riot familiar with the course \rill visit it, so as -tovb6{in,.a''position. to.express, thoir :views-' : 'as\ , t<):rtho;:'portibhs' of 'this *ground to wliicb their operations' may be restricted. . Following 'out a suggestion made by .the Hon. Dr. . Findlay . to . the deputation of bookmakers which_ waitkl upon. him .on Mon,d'ay,/.a. letter hasbeen']: addressed: to Sir George.Cliffprd, chairman of .tlio ; Racing Con-' fprence, asking.' him''to'• arrange for a conference between ropresdntatives,of .the racing authorities . and 'representatives, of the book-makers;-with'a •view :tq ■arriving at' a; de•cision .as 1 to .reasonable, license .'fees, 1 arid ■also to discuss, rules for .the' governing 'of . bookmakers.: A copy of" tho "letter has been for,warded-: to the .'president-'of ' each ..of the metropolitan clubs throughout tho. Dominion, ■ so that thero may be rio delay iii appointing . 'delegates, as the: matter is considered one of urgency. • . - '! ■ : •: Aj Domikiok reporter; TOs.'iriforined.yesterday.. by a local sporting man : that it' is just :as. easy:,to put • money, oii •a i horse here in Wellington: as .it; \yas. a month, ago. '.Jhe reputable bookmakers,;in compliancy with tho Act, have .closed ."their .< businesses, . but--.a m;ishi;oom, class iof bookmakers .scorns to ha-vo sprung up. V They, call upon '-their., clients 'at •'.their private residences- oruilacos of business ' and do ..a roaring .tradoVV .TMs.;kind of thing will doubtless give a .good: deal .of-trouble to •tho.police. ■■ -J:'; v f;:< ■■■ - . ' , ■ (BY MIiEGRAFH-—FRESS 'ABSOOUTIOK.) -.' • ■ . '. . Chrlstchuroh,' December 4. ' A''representative--of a'local newspaper, who set-out-torday to ascertain, whether street .betting was .being earned on"iri/Clinsioliuroh now, and if. so, to what'exterit';'bucfeeded in making ; ono' bet': with' a bookrilaker direct; arid two' others with agents-'bf bookmakers.- Two of the .hots wero. mado 'on tlio'. street, ' and the other-.in an. -hotel, arid I 'the' investigator felt: convinced that ho coiild have made many more'bets'.had'hb'continued his; quest further . Some of tho bookmakers approached said that they were waiting■'for 'licenses, and did;not want to'bet'.. :,- , " . ' :■ - * (UT TKI.r.Gi'.APII —RPLCIAL- CORRESPONDENT.)* Fcathers'ton,. December 4. .At ,a meeting of tho.'.stewards.of the Wairnrapa Boeing Club this .afternoon it was decided to':allow bookmakers oil the coiirso at .tho■ .Now.-, Year meeting.' . •. They • will bo allowed on . the level part, of the. .lawn, in front of tho grand stand, inside and out, on payment, of .a fee per day of £15, inside,, and . £7 10s. outside. One cl<?rk,;will be allowed with each: bookmaker. 1 ...