THE BOOKMAKER FAREWELLED

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 230, 3 February 1911, Page 7

THE BOOKMAKER FAREWELLED

INCIDENT AT TAIvAPUNA. MR. GLOVER MOVING Fill! INSTATEMENTThe exit, whether temporary or final, of the bookmaker from New Zealand racecourses was the occasion of a unique ceremony at the Takapuna laces in Monday. As soon as the totalisator closed tor the last race the band (First A.5T.R.) left its accustomed position at the rear of the grandstand and assembled on the rise near the spot where the bookmakers had been wont to do business. In a few minutes the strains of ''We Parted on the Shore." drew a large crowd from all parts, and some enthusiast called for and obtained "Three cheers for the books," while another set about making a collection for the band. "Auh-1 Lang Syne" followed, amid laughter. Mr. C. Philpot, one of the oldest bookmakers, was proceeding to address the crowd when the start of the last race caused an interruption. When the race had been decided the crowd turned its attention once more to the matter in hand, and the speaker resumed. He said that he started as a bookmaker on that course thirty years ago, and he had never done .anything to disgrace the profession. ' The Government was making it a crime for tin bookmaker to bet on a racecourse, and if they listened to the "wowsers" the s] irt would soon cease altogether. Mr. A. K. Glover, M.P., who was greeted with cheers, remarked that this was the last time for the present that the bookmaker would be seen on that racecourse. He had not yet succeeded in digesting tne Bill passed a few months ago, by which the bookmaker was removed from the racecourse. It seemed to him monstrously unfair that whili 'the man of means could put his pound oi. the totalisator his poorer brother was prohibited from investing half-a-crown with the bookmaker. "Don't blame me for tliis," said Mr. Glover; "1 have done, my best." He had just written to the Hon. «T. Carroll, Hon. J. A. Millar and Mr. T. M. Wilford, giving his opinions on the question, and Jie was sure that before long a largely-signed petition would be presented to Parliament praying for the bookmakers' reinstatement. Sir. Glover concluded by calling for a repetition of "We Parted on the Shore." This was given, together with three cheers for Mr. Glover, and the gathering broke up. it must be admitted, without any visible signs of gloom.