THE GAMING AND LOTTERIES ACT.

Te Aroha News, Volume VIII, Issue 488, 12 July 1890, Page 5

THE GAMING AND LOTTERIES ACT.

The following is a copy of a circular letter which has been forwarded by the Secretary of the New Zealand Trotting Association to members of Parliament, and also accompanying is a copy of the proposed amendment to the Gaming and Lotteries Act: —

“ Djar Sir, —Herewith please receive copy of a proposed amend incut to the Gaming and Lotteries Act, to bo brought forward this session. ‘Wo are led to ask your support to this amendment on account of the great inconvenience many of tho clubs affiliated to our Association were put to during last season, in consequence of the Hon. tho Coloniul Secretary having to carry out the provisions of the present Act, by referring the applications for a totalisator license to the Resident Magistrate, who in turn referred it to tho Metropolitan Racing Club of the district, whose rules do not recognise trotting; also, inconsequence of the great hardships imposed upon small clubs by the regulation of the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, of November 4th, 1889, under which clubs were compelled to give the sum of £2OO per diem in stakes in order to obtain the privilege of using the totalisator at two meetings during tho racing season. We therefore respectfully pray for your assistance to obtain for us thiß necessary amendment of the Act, giving the power of recommending tho granting of a fotalisator license to the, in our op’nion, proper authorities, viz., metropolitan racing clubs, where the app'icatiom is from a racing club, and the New Zealand Trotting Association, where the application is ’from a trotting club, we being of opinion that these authorities are better qualified to judge whether the license is necessary or not, than a Resident Magistrate, who knows nothing whatever of the question he is called upon to decide. Wo could emunerato a good many reasons why this amendment should become law, bub will content ourselves by mentioning- one or two. In tho regulation of the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, of November 4th, 1889, addressed to tho Resident Magistrates throughout the colony, he concludes with saying, * Y’ou are not called upon to draw any distinction between tho various forms of racing.’ This paragraph we understand to mean that all clubs must give the sums as laid down in the rule* of racing, otherwise they will nob be allowed to use the totalizator ; and as the trotting clubs are composed almost entirely of poor men, this regulation prevents them from enjoying the privilege of using tho totalisator at their meetings unless they give the same largo sums that the racing clubs give. Another reason why trotting clubs should be allowed to use the totalisator without giving such large sums in stakes, is that They are adding very materially bo tho wealth of the colony by increasing the value of horses. During the last three years trotting horse? to the value of nearly £7,000 have been exported to Australia, which said horses without the trotting clubs would nob have brought £I,OOO. We also beg respectfully to draw your attention to the groat popularity of trotting amongst owners. At the last meeting of the Lancaster Park Trotting Club no fewer than 156 horses were nominated, and over 100 competed at the meeting. This is only one instance of its popularity ; we could give a great many. Any further information you may require in support of this amendment will be supplied upon application to the undersigned.—l hare the honour to bo, your obedient servant, A. J. Rattray, Secretary N.Z. Trotting Association.” Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment, 1890. The short title of this Act should bo tire Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment Act. 1890. Section 46, page 12, of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1881, to be expunged, and the following inserted in lieu thereof, viz. : Notwithstanding anything in this Act hereinbefore contained, it shall be lawful for the Colonial Secretary, on the application of any racing or trotting club, to grant such club a license or authority to use the totalisator at horse raco meetings or trotting race meetings held under tho control or management of such club, subject- to the following conditions, viz. :

(1) Before the application of the racing or trotting club be granted by the Colonial Secretary, it must receive the sanction, in the case of racing clubs, of the metropolitan club of the district in which the club applying is situate, and in the ease of trotting clubs must receive the sanction of the Row Zealand Trotting Association, (2) The authority or license shall bo in writing, and may be cancelled at any time by the Colonial Scoretary upon proof being given that the club to whom the authority or license was granted are not acting in accordance with the provisions of tb« rules of racing in bhc case of racing clubs, or the rules of the Rew Zealand Trotting Association in the case of trotting clubs. Notiee of such cancellation to be in writing addressed to tho secretary of the club. (3) No more tliEfci three totalisators shall be used by the club at one time, and none outside UlO race-grounds within tho control cr management of the club. (4) Every totalisator shall be under the care and management of some cornpotent person appointed by the club, and under the direct supervision of the stewards. (a) 44 Totalisator” means the instrument for wagering or betting, known by that name, and any other instrument or machine of a like nature, and conducted upon the same principles, (b) “ Racing Club *’ includes any club or association formed for fchp purposo of promoting horse racing, or for tho management of horse racing meetings. ••Trotting Club” includes any club or association formed for the purpose of promoting trotting races or for the management of trotting race meetings, 47. If the conditions above mentioned are duly complied with, no person shall be liable to any penalty or forfeiture under thi3 Act, or any other aw for the time being in force relating to gaming and lotteries, for the use of the totalisator in manner hereinbefore provided.