TATTERSALL'S CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 2896, 15 September 1909, Page 57

TATTERSALL'S CLUB.

OPENING CEREMONY.

THE CONTROL OF RACING.

WELLINGTON, September 9. Speaking at the opening of Tattereall's Club, the Hon. J. A. Millai saad he hoped the club would prosper until it became the sports club of New, Zealand, where disputes relating to all branches of sport could be settled. While he admitted unreservedly that racing clubs had done a great deal, he would like to say a word or two to the execu- . taves. They must take a broader view than some of- them were taking. There were some clubs whose only aim seemed to be the totaWsator. It was the lifegiving fountain ©o far as some clubs were concerned, but they should give some facilities to men who believed in investing their money in a different way. The history of the 'last 18 months had shown that the clubs had not the great enemies that they had anticipated when the Gaming Act was passed, and the result ha<f \ proved conclusively that racing had been ( » put on a better footing. Up to a certain ', period bookmakers had subscribed littls > or nothing to the racing clubs directly, whereas he would not like to say what they had paid during the last 12 months. ' They had materially assisted clubs, whdch should take a hand in clearing out all which might bring discredit on racing. Later on, the Hon. J. Carroll said that the future success of a club must rest on public opinion, and i^ behoved I those belonging to clubs to see that this was ensured. Racing clubs regulated th« sport in such a way that there could ba little objection to racing, still there were many improvements yet to be made, and he was sure the dubs held the confidence . of the sporting community. He had had erpeffe'dce of bookmakers, and he had found them on an average to be good: men: "Racing was . progressing- well, andt he trusted t&at the day wae not far off when, they would have absolute confidence - that lacing management and government in the Dominion was on a higher standard . than in any other part of the world. The . law •perrijitted bookmakers to operate, and, the public should make the best of the position. They could only do so by the co-operation of all the authorities engaged in sport. He believed they could lay, i down the lines of demarcation between the one and the other so that each ona could understand his duty and conform to one solid principle — that was, to make racing a success. If a club was carried out on proper lines it could be a graduating school so that those coming from it • could receive the recognition of the racing authorities. Bookmakers of substance and high standing should ba .differentiated ■with as against those of no substance and" who were birds of passage. This oneroua duty should not be cast on the racing - clubs but should be carried out by clubs , such as the one just started. Then they, should have only those operating on the turf that th« people and the owner* ' would have confidence in.