"ON THE MAT."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 288, 5 December 1929, Page 10

"ON THE MAT."

POST OFFICE INQUIRY, 'PHONE CONVERSATIONS. MANY OFFICERS CONCERNED DEPARTMENTAL INVESTIGATION. Consternation has bqen caused at the Auckland Post OJfice as a result of the inquiry launched by two inspectors following listening-in to the conversations over the telephone used by members of the operating staff while the Takapuna Jockey Club's meeting was in progress last Saturday and Monday. About forty men are involved, which comprises something like half the etaff of the operating room. It is alleged that, in addition to having a wire to lieten-in, an officer was stationed close to the telephone wliich was usedj and took the names of persons using the telephone, and also the times at which it was used". This information was then compared with the times taken by the officer on the listening-in 'phone. One official was charged with using the telephone for betting on a large number of occasions on the two days, and it appears that he was merely ringing up on behalf of others. In two instances solicitors have been retained to defend officials concerned in the inquiry. The investigation is purely a Departmental one, and the method adopted is for the inspectors to endeavour to obtain written statements. It is alleged that telephone conversations are not evidence according to regulation unless absolute proof can be had of the person at the telephone being identified. In order to facilitate betting telegrams

on race days skeleton forms are prepared by Departmental officers. Although the operating room at the telegraph office ie the only one at the moment involved, suggestions have been made that listen-ing-in has been resorted to in connection with other Government Departments. It is well-known, despite the Gaming Act and its amendments, that all the betting done on horse racing in the Dominion is not confined to the totalisator, and that frequently horses are backed "off the course" for substantial amounts. One such case happened on Saturday last on the occasion of the second day of the Forbury Park Trotting Club's meeting, and, to put it in racing parlance, "all the town" was on the winner in question. This was the three-year-old filly, Lydia, which, strangely enough, is owned by the president of the Trotting Conference, Mr. H. F. Nicol. The backing of the filly away from the course, would, of course, be quite beyond the knowledge of Mr. Nicol, who is strongly opposed to any betting "being done other than through the totalisator. On Saturday morning it was freely broadcasted about the city that word had been received that Lydia was expected to win the Advance Handicap i that afternoon, and backers all over the city were soon busy "getting on." Lydia is a filly by Wrack, and had

only raced once previously, this being at the Ashburton. Racing Club's meeting on September 21. It was a small event, the Selma Handicap, and there iwere eleven starters,* with Lydia and Wrackeen coupled on the machine, but they were not greatly fancied, ruled only seventh in the order of favouritism. Neither ■■ showed up at all and finished out of a place. In view of this form it was expected that Lydia would be at a good price at Forbury Park on Saturday, but to the surprise of those stay-at-home backers the filly started favourite. However, the dividend was rather a good 'one for a first favourite. An ex-officer of the Post and Telegraph Department stated this morning that the present inquiry would be the usual nine days' wonder with, perhaps, a transfer or two, but otherwise nothing would be done. He commented on the fact that a tremendous lot of business went through the Telegraph Office on all race days, and in the ordinary way the Department put., every facility in the way of those who wished to send telegrams. He referred to the temptation that stared operators in the face on such occasions. Any man who thought that he knew "a good thing" would be inclined to have a bet on it.