Racing Clubs and Bootmakers.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 276, 28 May 1897, Page 2

Racing Clubs and Bootmakers.

The Duuedin Star says: — Seeing that the jockey and trotting clubs are now masters of the situation, it might be suggested as worthy at least of consideration whether a general arrangement might not be expedient and practicable for lieen- > sing bookmakers on payment of a sub- ' stantial annual foe, and allowing those licensed to carry on their business at race I meetings within an enclosure specially ' reserved for the purpose —like Tattersall's ring-in -the Home Country, We are not [ disposed to think that the returns from : the totalisator would be affected, if at all, > to a greater extent than would be made up by the license fees, and there would [ be manifest advantage in the business of "' bookmakmg being placed in the hands, as > it might reasonably be expected to be, of men of substance and character, sinoe the ' clubs would no doubt exercise circumspection in granting licenses and close supervision over the licensees. The license should run over the whole Colony and suspension or cancellation in regard , to any racecourse would thus involve > similar penalties throughout New Zealand, i disqualifying temporarily or permanently t the offending bookmaker. Under such a . system " welsbers " and other undesirable , members of the sporting fraternity gener- . ally would be effectually banished from ; the. racecourses, whilst (be bookmakers , would haye a recognised status which it i would be well worth their while to rnain«< . cain, and the calling would be purged of i a certain class who are neither creditable nor trustworthy. The suggestion is worth very serious consideration.