THE BOOKMAKER AND THE LAW.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 11110, 6 May 1911, Page 3

THE BOOKMAKER AND THE LAW.

Sir,— "Searchlight's' , Jotter. - on- the above, subject, which appeared in.your paper a few days ago, was so pertinent and pointed that one would think the proper authorities, if there are,' any, should have given this important matter some attention. But what is the. fact? .Wo have a Gaming Bill specially framed by Dr. Findlay, with sufficient provision made therein to copo with every phase of this insidious canker, which has been debasing our youths for years past, and yet the whole Act .is turned into a laughingstock by tlie neglect, indifference, and incapacity of those entrusted with the enforcement of the. provisions of the Gambling Act. The big bookmaker boms just as Inrgo as ho over did, and rumour hath it that he is in a iwsition to defy the law. And why? Because "the law is an ass' , in the hands of the drivers. The bookmaker who deals ■

in the modest half-crown bet, and who is, of course, of.no consequence to anybody except himself, gets a cursory attention mid.prosecution,. but tho "bookies" who have "influence" and "standing," and could open their mouths to soino purpose in certain quarters, if they would, somehow escape molestation. The whole business is a perfect scandal. In Commissioner Dinnie's time ' tilings were pretty -hot and strong, but during the past two months tho pace has been a "cracker." It is impudence and audacity personified. Tlie opulent "bookie" smiles complacently; Tattersail's Club still flourishes, and Willis Street, and Lambton Quay arc just as busy as usual with the bettiiic business. * Is there surely no remedy for this lamentable slate of affairs? have from time to time heralded iVrough the press tho raids made upon somo poor unfortunates who happen to have a few extra bottles of beer on their premises, riut raids on the "bookie," ■ what of them? lam of the opinion that those who should do their duty in carrying out tho law equally in getting at tho i root of this matter, want stirring un, or ■ olso they should bo shipped to other stations, where there are no previous r.ssociations, and replace them with independent and fearless officers. ]]csliito the Commission of la. - * year, which cost so many thousands of pounds, the existing state of affairs is a costly business for numbers of callow youths, and, yes, old galmblers, who, 'if they paid their tradesmen's bills, would hav'o very little left to pour into tho capacious maw of the "bookie" with "influence." Trusting that our legislators in Wellington, who aro not inflicted with the gambling fever, will keep their eyes open, and use their tongues. at the proper time,—l nm, etc., A KEEN OBSERVER, , ! ■Wellington, May 1, 1911.