SPORTING NEWS. THE ABUSE OF THE TOTALISATOR. Christchurch, May 31.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 374, 5 June 1889, Page 5

SPORTING NEWS. THE ABUSE OF THE TOTALISATOR. Christchurch, May 31.

The report presented by Mr G. G. Stead, the Treasurer, at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club, contained the following passages: — " The metropolitan clubs are at times charged with selfish legislation, but the slightest consideration must show that the leading clubs in New Zealand, when imposing restrictions with a view to checking abuse of the totalisator, have been actuated solely by a desire to protect racing and hedge ib round with such rules as should tend to preserve it as a high class sport. Unfortunately the lax manner in which totalisator permits have hitherto been issued, has encouraged the formation of a number of gnati racing-trotting clubs, got up mainly for the purpose of putting money in the pockets of a fow officials and promoters, and as trotting meetings are not held under the rules of racing, it has been impossible for metropolitan clubs to impose eilicient checks upon them. The result is, that innumerable suburban meetings are held all over the colony, which proves sufficiently attractive to the gambling instincc of a portion of the community to induce many to make a business of attending them in preference to earning their living at ordinary labour. Consequently, what with trotting meetings, hack meetings, galloway meetings, and legitimate meetings of both country and metropolitan clubs, there has been lately such a plethora of racing and trotting in Now Zea - land, that idling and gambling have been fostered to an extent that has done an immense amount of injury to the morality and industry of the colony. In fact, during the last racing season upwards of 2,600 animals competed for racing, trotting, and jumping prizes, at some 270 meetings, and it must be conceded that so much racing ' and trotting is out of all proportion to the population. If, also, we take into consideration the cost of food and attendance required by each of these 2,600 horses — the majority of which horsos and their attendants ought, under other circumstances, to be engaged in ordinary industries of life — it may give some idea of the injury done to the community through the abuse of the totalisator. Racing, as a sport, is undoubtedly a most enjoyable amusement to those who have a just appreciation of it, and the totalisator, within certain limits, is an excellent method of providing the funds to carry it on successfully. The community, as a whole, however, should look upon racing as an amusement only, and not as a business of life, which it is gradually becoming to a class of racegoers recently created by what ' may bo termod • totalisator meetings.' "

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