Untitled

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1224, 19 March 1880, Page 2

Heah Sjegreid France:, the inventor and patentee of the totalisator, is at present in Oamaru. Pe first introduced this machine into England, where the bookmakers gave it a hot reception by inveighing against it in unmeasured terms. The effect of this persecution is that tliß attention of the authorities was directed to the Jmtpcl innovation, and its use was prohibited, Herr Franck next appeared in New South "Wales, and last year used the " infernal machine " on the Randwick Racecourse, where he met with such success that the board was filled two or three times over on many of the horses. He was, however, viewed in the same category as the disreputable thimble-rigger, and, on the strength of a clause of The Betting Houses Suppression Act," he was brought before a Police Magistrate and committed to take his trial in the Supreme Court. In the interim, however, he entered into a bond that he would never again use the machine in New South "Wales, and the AttorneyGeneral (who possesses the power of a Grand Jury) thereupon entered a nolle prosequi. The instrument has never since been used in New South Walea, aijd is not likely to be- used while a law is in existence which renders the' manipulator liable to six months' imprisonment with hard labor. Nor has it been used in Victoria. But " The Vagabond," the literary " sundowner" of Australia, whilst on a tour through Queensland, added the manipulation of the totalisator to his other accomplishments, with impunity. To return to Herr Franck and his mission : He is desirous of introducing his patent gambler, which he professes is an adaptation of Babbage's calculating maohine, to the Racing Clubs of this Colony. The Oamaru Club sold the right to use a totalisator on the course dui*ing the late meeting for L2O. For this Herr Franck has signified his intention of prosecuting the Club, although we can scarcely see how it has by its action had anything to do with the infringement of Herr Franck's patent. Perhaps the patentee would abandon his intention to prosecute the Club if it agreed to pay him a royalty, or a fee whenever it elected to use the totalisator on its course. We think, however, that the Oamaru Club and the other clubs of the Colony should first ascertain beyond dispute that they would not be infringing the laws of the Colony by using the totalisator or permitting it to be used on their course before they make any such arrangement with Herr Franck. That the attempt to popularise the totalisator in New Zealand will be signalised by much opposition there can be no doubt. The public are anything but satisfied with it. Its operations in Oamaru seem not to have been above suspicion, a number of keen observers at the late meeting haying noticed that the instrument was not closed 3s soon as the races started. This is a aorious objection, as it leaves an opening to unlimited swindling, and px-oves that if the totalisator is to be used at all, it should be used under the most stringent and scrupulous management of the racing clubs. Whether such clubs could be compelled to pay a royalty or a fee to Herr Franck is a matter that is open to question.