THE WELLINGTON RACECOURSE TELEGRAPH OFFICE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10869, 19 January 1901, Page 9

THE WELLINGTON RACECOURSE TELEGRAPH OFFICE.

j (F-tSSS ASSOCIATION TK___CBAM.) I WELLINGTON, January 18. j A deputation of the stewards of the Wel- ; liugton Racing Club waited on Mr "Ward to- ! day, in reference to their decision to abolish the telegraph office on the coursev Mr __.cC_-__y, the president, pointed out that the wires wero used considerably for illegal betting, and tho club asked th* Minister to assist in preventing it. He said that lost season the club put through £3,000, and was advised by the stewards that a fully similar amount was telegraphed away. _h£_club was willing to allow Press and supeivisca messages to bo sent, and thought if a Government officer -was appointed for that purpose the trouble might be removed. Mr Ward, in replying, said the president must be misinformed oa to the amount telegraphed off tho course, and no regulation could be devised which would prevent persons sending money from tho course: He had, he said, had a careful analysis made of the telegrams irom the Hutt last meeting, and this showed clearly that more than two-thirds were outBide of betting purpoaea. This proved the telegraph on the course was ot ©üblic utility, and it the stewards refused tho Department the uso of the office on the Hutt course, then, as Postmaster-General, ho would see that an office bo established aa close to the course as possible. . . ~ As the result of another meeting of t.»stewards, held thia afternoon, the Club intimated, to the Postmaster-General that tlie telegraph office will be kept open as usual. (SPECIAL TO "THK PRESS.") WELLINGTON, January 18. Mr Ward has scored ell along the line agam.l the Wellington Racing Club, and the stewards have now backed down, regarding tho proposed closing of the telegraph office on th. ilutt course, and have intimated that they will allow it to remain open as usual. In-answer to a deputation from the Club today Mr Ward quoted some interesting figures. He said ha was with the Club in its desire to Suppress illegal betting, but he had to see th-it the interests of the public were protected. On the 22nd of November last, 261 Prc_ a messages. IM bet-ins? messages, 109 message, givii_? results of races only, and 135 miscel.aneous messages were sent from the racecourse. On theme day '256 betting messages and 91 miscellaneous messages wero sent on to tiie course. During the two days meeting 213 money order mesaagea. representing &>--, were also sent to th. ccurne. Whilst he sympathised with the CluK re illegal betting, he could not help it to get at a particular class of people. If tho betting waa to bo suppressed, it must be by legislation; he could not see hi 3 way to dificri-u-natc between betting messages and those sent by the Press ond the general public. Tho regulations would not uermit of that being done, and there would be a great outcry if he agreed to such a thing. He avould ask the Club to keep the office open. If it could not sec its way to do so, then he would approach tho owner of the land on v.-hich tho ottico stood ou tho subject, and v u?i-tic- .4-fnl 'h-*-. h» would have an oihee erected outside the cours:.