THE TOTALIZATOR AT THE DUNEDIN RACES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1053, 25 March 1882, Page 4

THE TOTALIZATOR AT THE DUNEDIN RACES.

A correspondent of the Otago Daily Times thus describes the “ management ” of the totalizator at the late Dunedin races :— It is simply monstrous and barbarous, and it is amazing how such an abomination can be tolerated for a single day. 1 refer to the frantic struggling, yelling, and cursing in front of the totalizator. I myself struggled manfully in the endeavour to put a pound on Lady Emma for the Cup, but only got my temper and clothes spoiled and my corn (a pet one) cut, thrashed, and ground “ gratis,” and glad to escape from such a pandemouiun with Vestments torn but bones sound, even at the costs of missing £22 odd of a dividend. One gentleman had every button ripped from his beautifully-got-up white waistcoat; another had two ribs fractured; a third had his sovereign knocked out of his baud, and could not for the life of him get ■his hand into his pocket for another, while a fourth gave a "liver,” expecting £4 back, but was hustled out of the way, and never received it. But the horrors of the present system seem to reach a climax when the candidate has by almost superhuman efforts secured liis ticket; for how is he to get out when wedged in by the combined force of a score or two of ablebodied men, a great portion of whom are evidently ruffians, very likely without a shilling in their pockets, who are thrusting, shouting, and swearing for the mere fun of the thing ’? Three of my friends, anticipating this difficulty of egress, previously arranged that after getting their tickets, they would simultaneously place one foot on the board in front and, by one energetic push force their way out; but the dodge was observed, and the result was that a passage was suddenly opened, and my three triends performed a pretty 7 somersault on the ground. Now a very simple and inexpensive contrivance would obviate all unseemly conduct —viz., by putting a rail in front; in short, by adopting the railway ticket-office plan, where only one person could enter at a time and emerge at the other end. But should it be objected that as bad a crush might take place at the entrance, why not adopt the “ battue ” system of South America, where large numbers of wild animals are driven ? The only difference would be that while the wild animals on entering the narrow passage individually receive a fatal stab between the. ears, the civilised but almost equally wild animals would receive a ticket and some cash in perspective, and the larrikin and impecunious element would be effectually excluded, as notice could be given that every individual entering must give his or her pound. But seriously, and in conclusion, I think something ought to be done before next meeting to prevent scenes at the totalizator which are, to speak mildly, a disgrace to any civilised community.