THE GAMING ACT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2809, 15 January 1908, Page 57

THE GAMING ACT.

ATTORNEY-GENERALINTERYTEWED. OHRISTCHURCH, January 7. • In the course of "an interview this morning the Hon. Dr Findlay stated, in reference :to'th© new Gaming;" Act, that the large .dubs -wore giving. far less trouble than .the. •smaller ones, 'the" latter being inclined jto -impose impossible '"conditione. "It is quite clear," the Attorney-general, said,- "that if clubs like "those. at ( Auckland 'and Christohurch are" content' to "charge bookmakers £20 a" day, and admit their, clerks' free, it is unreasonable for the "smaller^- clubs t<> charge £20 each -for .the -bookmaker .and his "clerk- ,- THe most infiuenfiaLrand best friends of. racing; in ."New Zealand-" aare ■ enideavouxing'to make section 35 work smoothly, and -their influence , will doubtless succeed in producing , ihis^effect." -- • "• ". The- statement has been made," the reporter:*: interposed, £',that.the act does not confine i to the "'racecourses altogether.-" » - -' "' ' " That_ is so," , th© ' speaker admitted readily: " There is .a good- deal of misoen-cepitcon-as-tb'-th© effect of. the' act." Before it Tras vjiswsed * bookmaker couldj bet ■ any,where' he" chose -so icing as he did not do it on the street ,or- inj 1 a'ooniman gaminshouse". The --present 'act "limits" the' places where betting- may be carried on, but. still, leaves, i* free to^ the. bookma^kar, to make bets in' any plac©' not; expressly: mentioned" or prohibited hj' Hie "act. ~ There .is-"no reason, for instance-, -why -he should .not bet .. inf-hm ownvhome^ so^long aß.he does not mak^'a-omnmon, gami&ag-hbtise of if or set »p~a regular- place wnere- betting is carried pn. ~ Th© cardinal change" made by th© act is that, betting ~.»pon any contingency, exceptins^iiorseracing is,illegal. On© may bet on a -horserace anywhere so long ,as it is -not,in, a place- mentioned and prohibited by the, act,: such as the -street, public places/ orany regular ' tote ' chop." ; " Is any improvement noticeable .yet?' " " Well, from careful- inquiries mad©- hi Auckland^ from racing men and - the .police it has -.been ascertained that the better-, class ■ bookmakera " were stirenuously attempting to.j'comply 'with all the conditions of their • licenses, and' to observe the la-w. Moreover,' I- learned" that they are going to do" their .best to prevent any of their elass^ 'from bringing- 'alnything 'itf- t"he-''^Pape "ofreprisals' upon* ttietn by breaking "the law... I they are forming some .so*it of, an association "" to ;ettem;pt -to ' .maintain "sopae ', standard ' of' oharieter r and_ " financial sfa-tixs as -a basis of admission. *"~lt is.*" of jcouree," far too early tp, "decide definitely -whether section 35 is going to-be successful in prac-* . tice or, not. these matters say* the > new , broom is sweeping olean, and . that - the ■• bookmakeys are nn. the best, of good -behaviour.- In the aiieantim© T am" not in a position-to decide that question/ I can only say that the information so far received' is all in their favour." MANIOTOTO'JOGEiEY CLUB."- > (From Our Oto Cobb^spondent.) , *"" - ' ". . * NASEBY, January 13. At a meeting of the committee of tho Maniototo -'Jockey v Clpb, held on Saturday, the . following "regulationa- with;'" regard io the] . licensing of bookmakers ,at the club's forth.-, coming meeting were made-: — " That bookmakers be licensed at a fee of £20. a * day. -Each- bookmaker to ,"be allowed on* clerk at * fee of £W «. day. - " ■*- - ' j That the .license- be produced to the stewafrda or club's officials whenever demanded*- - , . That the bookmaker produce- and hand over his" oaok 'to- the stewards -or -officials " whenever required to 3o ao. - .; That no be allowed to bet after ■febe totalisa-tor is closed.' " , • That licenses be granted only on condition, that the bookmaker restrict his betting -to th« ~placfr^ set aside by the committee for that purpose. - f i ', . ~- ' That all applications, accompanied by a deposit «qual to <?neiday's.feeE and tLe name «f the" c'.eri .(if 'be 'leoeived until S p.m. on February 1, 1908. No application will he -considered after that 'date. • . '- "_ -