5s TOTALISATOR

Hokitika Guardian, 2 December 1930, Page 5

5s TOTALISATOR

TAKAP UNA’S EXPERIENCE.

EXTRA WINDOWS OPENED

AUCKLAND, November 30.

Marked success attended the innovation of the os totalisator at the opening of the Takupuna Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting on Saturday, the os betting exceeding the 10s betting outside by over £I2OO, and the aggregate totalisator returns declined by only 12 per cent., compared with an expected decrease of 20 to 25 per cent., which has been the experience of clubs which have held Meetings this spring. Unprecedented features made the day an outstanding one in the club’s history. A fortunate break in the long spell of boisterous weather gave .'the Meeting the best day that has been experienced this spring. This, combined with the induement of cheaper betting, resulted in a record attendance for the first day of the Spring Meeting. It is estimated that between 9000 and 10,000 people passed through the gates, and this crowd gave rise to additional problems. Ferry tickets giving admission to the course as well as passage across the harbour ran out and the second day’s issue had to he encroached upon. Seven thousand of these .tickets were issued'to. the ferry company for the first day, and in view of the fact that only 6200 were disposed of last,, year, the mar' gin was considered . ample. Although 2500 extra “correct cards” wore printed on account of the, os totalisatoi', calls went out early'to bring in'Supplies from sellers outside to. meet the keen demand inside. Even then - a shortage existed and investors met their needs by borrowing. THE MACHINE HUSHED. The os totalisator was ■ installed in an outside machine “oh the hill” and was rushed on every race. Twelve windows were provided at first but so great was the press around these, that additional windows were provided from 10s windows, were business was slack.

The total, investments for the day amounted to £36,516 15s, compared with £42,000 on the first day last year. Of that sum £17,891 was put through the lawn totalisator, where only 10b and £1 tickets and higher denominations were sold. The balance, £lB,625 15s, was invested “on the hill,” £8684 passing through passing through the 10s machine and £9941 15s through the ss. Inside the totalisator house an extra staff had been put on to cope with the additional work.

WINDFALL IN FRACTIONS. * Change was one of the chief problems. Of £3OOO worth of silver which was obtained to .start the day all but £SO of it disappeared in the first two races. The splitting up of dividends into such small proportions threw an additional burden on the clerical staff and incidentally it provided a windfall for the club in fractions.

“It has been a. wonderful success,” one prominent official said, ! “But for the Ss totaiisator I am sure our returns would have been at least £lO,000 lower ” ' .