The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 1919. Racing Permits.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 468, 30 September 1919, Page 2

The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 1919. Racing Permits.

"We nothing extenuate, nor let down auaht in malice."

TWENTY years ago little or no difficulty would have been experienced in securing a permit for totalisntor race meetings at Pukekohe, but nowadays the Legislature is very chary of granting such. This is due, in part, to the general opinion that too much money is spent in gambling. However that may be, we do not think the presence or otherwise of a racecourse in Pukekohe is going to alter the position materially, if people will gamble, and the racehorse is their favourite instrument tor taking chances on, they may as well do so in Pukekohe as nearer the city, and incidentally add to the amount of money in circulation in this town. There are any number of places in New Zealand where tote meetings are held which compare very poorly with Pukekohe as centres, and it does not seem just that those places should be especially favoured merely because they "got ia first." A very suitable site, at a most reasonable figure is under offer for a racecourse, but should the present opportunity be lost nothing like such a good offer is ever likely to be made again. Also, a most important factor (o be taken into calculation is that each institution helps us to acquire some other one. For example,we also want a hospital, a winter show,and other fixtures The acquisition of any one helps us to obtain and maintain the others, because of the increased number of people drawn to the place, and the added revenue provided. Within a very short time now it will be known whether or not a tote permit will be granted. We hope the answer will be in the affirmative.