“Cost of New Tote’ Out of All Reason”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 284, 21 February 1928, Page 11

“Cost of New Tote’ Out of All Reason”

AUCKLAND T.C. DECISION ROYALTY DEMAND EXORBITANT At a meeting of the committee of the Auckland Trotting Club correspondence in connection with the proposed installation of an electric totalisator at Alexandra Park was read. The question of the amount of royalty asked by the Associated Racing Clubs in New Zealand, who hold the patent rights of the machine for this Dominion, was considered by the committee tc be exorbitant and out of all reason. Until some reasonable figure is arrived at. by the racing clubs’ syndicate who hold the patent rights, the club will carry on under the present system.

The necessary machinery had been Installed to have the figures of the inside and outside machines synchronised, and the : work was now completed, which gave complete satisfaction. The matter of congestion of traffic in Green Lane on race days was discussed and was eventually left to the president and secretary to inquire into.

The chairman of the Course Committee, Mr. J. E. Tansley, submitted a report on works completed since the summer meeting. The question of deepening the sumps was left to the chairman to consult with the club’s engineer and to have the work completed. Cinder Track Considered

The question of a cinder track was discussed. It was pointed out by the chairman that a considerable amount of filling would be required on the eastern end of the course, which, he stated, would be an expensive item, apart from the forming of the track and the purchase and laying down of the cinders, but, if funds were available, the work of laying down a winter track would be proceeded with, as the committee was anxious to give owners and trainers the best facilities possible to work their horses..

The secretary reported that the subscription taken up for Mr. E. S. Groat, whose home at Mangere was recently destroyed by fire, had resulted in a sum of £76 17s 6d being collected. A sum of two guineas was donated to the Auckland Regatta Committee and a like sum to the Local Bodies’ Union children’s, picnic fund. Letters were received from the Auckland Children’s Home, Auckland Mental Hospital, Sister Esther and the Commercial Travellers’ Orphans Appeal Committee thanking the club for donations. Accounts to the amount of £l»9 Ids were passed for payment.