SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 4 December 1907, Page 3

SPORTING.

THE NEW GAMING ACT. A TIMELY NOTIFICATION. WARNING TO RACING CLUBS. Per Press Association. Wellington, December 3. A deputation of bookmakers waited on the Attorney-General to-day to com- | plain about the manner in which the new Gaming Act had been administered by the Foilding Racing Club, and to ask that the law should be cirried out in the spirit intended by the Legislature. The deputation "asked that a , mandate should be issued to racing j clubs compelling them to administer the J Act fairly. The bookmakers protested

, I iii'iiinst being charged ,€2O a day. and ;«!■<> against lieing roped in in aii enclosure. I The Hon. Dr. Findlay, in reply, said | li' wanted to explain that bookmakers j had no right to expect and would not ! get any indulgence from the Governii' i't. The duty of the Government , would not permit it to show any favour j in any shape or form to any agency of | gambling. lie quoted Acts to show that the Government had power to cancel or refuse to issue licenses for totalizators, and he indicated that, in the event of a club imposing or asking the bookmakers to observe unreasonable conditions, he would advise the C.ibinet *o have the el-ab's totalisator permit cancelled. Bookmakers had been given a legal status, and they were to be put in no worse and no belter a position than the totalisator on the course. The Act would lie administered in a spirit of fairness, and the Government would also endeavour to obtain absolute observance of its provisions.

r'tTITTTER CASES FOR " WIXGCLIPPIXG." Woodville, December :). Tlie stewards of the Jockey Club have decided to allow bookmakers on the course on fheir paying £2O |)er day and .£2O per day for their clerks. The other conditions are similar to those of the Feihling Club. SPECIAL I'IiESERYE FOR "BOOKIES." Wellington, December :l. One result of the licensing of bookmakers appears to lie the probability of the advent of pony racing. A meeting has been held here to form a club. It was stated that negotiations were already proceeding for the acquisition of a course close to the city, and all the money necessary to equip it had already been subscribed. It is understood that the course is at .Miramar. where there is a large park which was once offered to the city, but is now in private hands.

RACING CLUBS AND BOOKMAKERS. (By " Moturoa.") It seems well-nigh incredible that Racing Clubs should run away with tlie idea that the recent gambling legislation was enacted solely lor their special benefit and to strengthen the posver of their totalisators. It is further incredible that they should be blind to the fact th.it the policy of the Government is undoubtedly to plate the bookmaker on a level with the machine, and it behoves Racing Clubs to look at Jioth sides of the question before do.ng anything which they might in a very short time, have reason to' regret. Tlle reply of Findlay to the deputation of bookmakers which waited upon him yesterday shouM leave no doubt in their mind* that the Government is deterWned to administer the new Garni,,,, : *'t m the spirit in which it , Vi ,s mended that is, i» the interests 0 f the pubhc, and not solely of the clubs i'V action of (l,e 1-Vil<lli, ff Club in ,1,..' inanduig the maximum foe of £■>() )m----day was the subject of some verv potntcd remarks by the Minister, and „|, threat to advise the Cabinet to cancel the license of tho.se clubs w |, o were so ioolish as to impose unreason aWe conditions upon bookmakers should have >ts effect. The Waitara Racing Club is amongst-those who intend to read the Act to suit themselves, and their ridicup!!'V "h in , ™ for '- in K «'« maximum fee upon the bookmakers will certainly •ring their club tinder (he notice of the ■overnment, and with the threat of the Hon - ', ,r ' Fin y still ™WK i" their eaiH they would he wise to reconsider llieir present despotic attitude anil show a reasonable desire to cater for the public, to whom they owe their verv able that the Government will take this opportunity of acceding to the clamour <>f a certain section of the community that the number of tolalisator permits should be reduced. And without the totalisator how many countrv clubs could y

At a committee; meeting of the Waitara Racing Clul) on Monday, the following resolution wV passed—lioolroakcrs, their clerks and agettU „,-„ „„, lie allowed on the chili's property unless » license at a fee of C2O !>,. taken out and the following conditions observedI hat they give the club a satisfactory Biiawnt™ of their ability ot pay tvagcrs, and that they be allowed ' on ;, do , K k to each license; that they pl v their ca I™R only ,„ the place provided, n0,,. oWrvaaee of this ren.lcri.uj th m . "Me to expulsion; that the clnb „. point an inspector, to wI ,o m the ~oX he 7 mmt P, ' O,I " CO tMr f«r of ascertaining whether orator odds naye hee„ Sid, and f, f "'" lrt ? n mspection that (otalisator odds We ,„,„„ ]ai( , t , "t«r immedrntely expelled from the po".,', and information giye„ to the police ' If is understood that a leading Wei 'S»S on solicitor ha, give ;\ ,£ wtiif^:;.^ir' ,aWm^^ ft,., r>„ • ".,""" "instie provisions of tj- naming .Act are p ,,et,Ya!ly inopoi ° a f