GAMING LAW.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1924, Page 4

GAMING LAW.

NEW MEASURE EXPECTED. WEU.INCTON. June 11 Among the most interesting of the subjects to he discussed by the l.cgislalurc during Dm approaching session of I’arliaumiit is gaming legislation. A Hill will he introduced hy the Alinistor for Internal Affairs, the lion R. F. Bollard, end. apart from any oi it - proposals which may give rise to arguineni, the way will he open for the introduction ol highly controversial matter. One of tin* clauses oi the Dili will make provision for an increase in 1 otalisator permits. Probably it will he found that the idea of the Minister ill charge of the measure will he to increase the permits lur racing clubs liv twelve and those lor trotting clubs hy nineteen. Another provision will he to Die effect that clubs changing their < mistit ut ion will retain the right to their permit. This is designed i" meet the case ol a club changing from (say) a trotting dub to a hunt club. Iv is proposed to make it lawful Tor a club to refund money invested on a laiise if the horse is withdrawn from the race before the (otalisator doses. The question of Dm division of big fields will arise, and ii is likely tluvt (he Hill will propose that the totalisatnr shall not he open for the purpose of receiving investments more than eight times o:i any day at any race Hireling. It is understood there will ho a stipulation, also, that not more than eight races shall he held in a day. The question of Dm application oT assets in Dm event of the dissolution of a dub will he reierred to in the measure in the form of a proposal that no member of a dub shall he deemed to have any personal pecuniary interest fin liis capacity as a member) in Die properly of the dub, and on the dissolution ol the club the assets shall he disposed of for public or charitable purposes, with the approval of Dio .Minister. D is expected that an attempt will he made to define the powers of totalisator inspectors as a right- in enter courses and totalisator houses and demand information which affects their duties. Whether the effort to harden the provisions aimed at keeping certain persons off racecourses will be repented is not known, hut it- has’been suggested that the Minister may not go on with it. A former attempt to increase Die penalties on those who may he regarded as trespassers on the courses was strenuously opposed. The Bill is expected to appear early in the session.