LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1076, 15 March 1911, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

THE BOOKMAKER—WAS THERE AN EXODUS? : Sir—Would .you kindly allow mo space to answer a letter in to-day s (March 13) Dosiinvon signed "Spectator." In the first place 1 want to make it clear that I hold no brief for tho bookmaker, neither do f know Detective Hammond, and I have not tho pleasure of Mr. Wilford's acquaintance. 1 will pass over Mr. Wilford's attitude.' in explaining to the Bench'his reason for voting against the clause in. the new Gaming Act which prohibited bookmakers from. conducting their business on racecourses, as it is. no affair of mine. "Spectator" states in his letter that there was a complete exodus of tho gentry (bookmakers) to Australia. Ho nlso states that at tho time Detective Hammond made a certain statement that there- wore only a dozen or so bookmakers in Wellington. The above two sentences are what I Want to contradict "Spectator" on. When tho now Act came "into forco on February 1 the only bookmakers who left this country for Australia wore from four ..to six of tho Sydney spielers who eamo here-to .prey on the unwary punter pigeons who are always to be found on New Zealand racecourses. Sinco then two of the established bookmakers of this country have gone for a holiday, all of which goes to show how much "Spectator" really knows. So much for.tho general exodus. I will now pass on to "Spectator's" statement of there only being a doze.h bookmakers or so' in Wellington. Well, Mr. Editor, as a man about town, and one who has been through the fire, I 'would like, ; if betting' were not illegal, to have a substantial wager with "Spectator" that Icoiild point him. out at least forty bookmakers in Wei-, lington at tho present day; In conclusion, if "Spectator" likes to deposit ten or twenty pounds with any reputable citizen, to be handed over to any charitable institution if ho is wrong in his statement, I will nlso do likewise if I cannot prove what I say is'right!—l am, etc., ROBERT J. MALCOLM.