RACECOURSE ROGUES

NZ Truth, Issue 1149, 8 December 1927, Page 8

RACECOURSE ROGUES

Keeping An Eye On The Fraternity

Whether or not officials of the New Zealand Racing Conference are aware of the "fact, there exists m the system of racecourse supervision a somewhat ironic weakness m administration.

DACING men have grown accustomed **• to tlie presence of official inspectors at the various meetings, and it is conceivable that a question which often arises m the public mind is: While these officers are familiar with the older undesirables on courses, are they able to recognize newcomers? Each of the present four inspectors on the salary sheet of the Racing Conference is an ex- detective and fully acquainted with "record" men. But can they identify those new members of the shiftless fraternity which plies its illicit trade? It has been suggested to "N.Z. Truth" that m many instances they cannot, nor have they access to the police "Gazette," m which members of the school of dishonesty are featured. At one time, it is believed, racecourse inspectors were fully conversant with newcomers m the field of racing misbehavior, but today such is not the case. It would be a pertinent question to ask how many race-rogues warned oft* courses have been subsequently prosecuted by these inspectors? According to existing regulations, they are unable to produce the "records" of old-timers, and cannot, moreover, prosecute them. This means, therefore, that whilst members of the police force have certain information made available to them for the protection of New Zealand's racing public, inspectors appointed by the Racing Conference are not so fortunate. . What, then, is the position? It is that these officials are but slightly better informed than regular patrons of racing, nor have they, seemingly, any better means of ascertaining who are the fledglings among the vicious element which finds its way through the gates of our racecourses. And m nine cases out of the traditional half -score,, the knowledge they do acquire of this new section of wrongdoers is gleaned through the cooperation of local police officials. If this be the case, it seems that the New Zealand Racing Conference should shake its head, immediately commence a violent re-shuffling of the regulations, and effect a remodelling that will ensure a reform of the present ridiculous position. As a final suggestion, Sir George Clifford and his colleagues might do well to solicit the co-operation of Commissioner Mcllveney — and it is unlikely that he will say them nay. The present circumstances are grotesque ;in performance; unfair to the officers who to all intents labor under a palpable disadvantage, and harmful to the interests of racegoers as a whole. The solution lies with officialdom— 1 will- they commence to work on the problem, NOW?