REPROOF REGRET.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 17, 20 January 1934, Page 2 (Supplement)

REPROOF REGRET.

The opening of the first registered betting shop in Adelaide caused tremendous cxcitement. Although 20 bookmakers were in attendance, they were not able to cope with the rush of business, which exceeded all expectations.

Thousands of people fought madly to enter the basement of Tattersall's Club, where bets were being accepted on the Melbourne races, as there was 110 meeting in Adelaide.

I often think how nice 'twould be, If ever.v legislature Would splflicate the ghastly fronds 'In world-wide human lint 11 re; IC everyone observed the lnwx, No constable could take 'cm, And everyone was blameless as The gentlemen who make 'cin; And every person, dutiful Would after statesmen amble, Eschewing every sinful act, Especially a gamble. I mean of course those betting shops (There's one in Adelaide), They say it's licensed legally, And bets arc freely made; Oil dear! How very wrong it seems, —So very, very bold, It's far less sinful, don't you think To seek alluvial gold ? To take a pleasant little stroll With pick and spado to ramble, But never, never to indulge One's passion for a gamble? Dear, deifr! to think of cousins that Breast up in a long queue, Hoping for hoot that properly Should all belong to you ; Nefarious blighters ! Freemen, too ! Entitled to the vote. Oil. they should not commit this crime, But stick, it 011 the t.ote, Thus, thus escaping meshes set Eike some insidious bramble, And in our own, our priceless way, ■Refraining from a gamble. I wonder if it's possible, This betting curse to stein To follow in our leaders' steps, And be as good as them ? To live in purity apart From all these hideous snares, And buy in stainless; pennies A bunch of rising sliaros; Apart, aloof, enthrone, aloue, No need for a preamble, Do this in piety and peace But never, never gamble. My heart aches and my spirit yearns, To aid my erring brothers, All sunken 111 Inlqijlty (Unlike us, and some others); I lorig to fly to Adelaide (Oh, I say, is that you, Smltliy? When you are popping home again, May I "go zooming with oe 1) Of course. I greatly deprecate. This South Australian scramble, I'd go, indeed, to preach to them, But not (No! No!) to gamble. —C.J.