Only four return money

Press, 30 December 1976, Page 12

Only four return money

PA Auckland Three years ago the totalizator company. Automatic Tothlisatnrs. Ltd. underpaid betters at the \\ on dale races by $58,000. But when the mistake was discovered the company invited betters to claim their extra winnings and all the claims were met. Recalling the incident yesterday, the company manager, Mr M. Smith, said he was di* appointed that betters at Alexandra Park on Tuesday night had not shown similar honesty A miscalculation gave the quinella dividend on the Lordship Mobile • Stakes at $20.40, when it. should have been $10.45. More than 1000 betters received double the payout they should have, but yesterday only four had answered the company’s appeal to return the money. “We are disappointed at the response.” said Mr Smith. •‘Every day we meet claims from people who have lost their tickets or have some other problem. ft would be rather nice for people to reciprocate.” Mr Smith said the company was not insured afiainst. the contingency. It had to accept responsibility for accuracy and carry the risk itself The $ll,OOO it stands to lose unless more honest gamblers appear would be a direct loss on the company.

A case, perhaps, where th® house did not win in the But then there i« another meet ing at Alexandra Park tonight and gamblers are a superstitious lot.

Cricket. —Ths Melbourne chib cricket team, Essendnn. narrowly Jost to Wellington P in a 40 overs match in Wellington Batting first. Essendon reached 209 all out and Wellington hit 213/7.