Victorian T.A.B. Officer "Was Dismissed”

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30234, 12 September 1963, Page 17

Victorian T.A.B. Officer " Was Dismissed”

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

MELBOURNE, September 10.

The Victorian Chief Secretary (Mr A. G. Rylah) told the Legislative Assembly today that Mr Lawrence H. Smith, a New Zealander, had been dismissed from the position of general manager of the Totalisator Agency Board, which conducts the Victorian off-course totalisator.

Mr Rylah was answering the Deputy-Leader of the Opposition (Mr D. Lovegrove), who asked what investigation had been made by the Government into the operations of the Totalisator Agency Board “after the retirement of certain staff of the board.”

Mr Lovegrove also asked how many officers or staff, or both, were retired, and why. Mr Rylah said: "No member of the board’s staff has retired, but the general manager was dismissed ’on June 18 last. A member of the C. 1.8. has completed certain investigations, and his report is in the course of preparation.” It was announced on June 18 by the chairman of the T.A.B. (Sir Chester Manifold) that Mr Smith had been replaced as general manager of the Victorian Totalisator Board. His duties had been taken over by the assistantgeneral manager (Mr Kenneth Davis), also a New Zealander. No reason was given.

Mr Smith had been administrative manager of the New Zealand Totalisator Agency .Board for eight years when he was appointed by the Victorian T.A.B. as its first general manager in July, 1960. He was born in New Plymouth.

No further details have been announced.