The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1887. The Totalisator

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 84, 20 January 1887, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1887. The Totalisator

This wonderful machine, which has proved so profitable to Jockey Clubs, as well as the proprietors, has apparently arrived at the apogee of its popularity. Hitherto wherever it has been on the field, its operations, in the majority of instances, have been conducted with most commendable accuracy, and where cases of error did occur they were very trivial, and readily adjusted or explained to the entire satisfaction of those concerned. Latterly, however, a change for thf worse has appeared, and the calculations of those in charge have been incorrect, or the machine has recorded totals which disagreed with the aggregate of the amounts on the several horses. As a natural result the dividends declared have ceased to be accepted with that sublime and confiding faith which makes things so pleasant on a racecourse as well as in other places of recreation or amusement. On this subject the Referee of the 14th mat. says: — "If the totalisator continues to be abused by the incompetence, or whatever it may be, of those who are connected, directly or indirectly, with its workings, the enemies of racing, who are unfortunately pretty numerous in the community, will have a handle for their opposition to the ' infernal machine.' Once let them be afforded a strong argument against the totalisator, and they may be relied on to push that argument home to the utmost of their ability. It therefore behoves stewards of all racing clubs, great and small, to keep a watchful eye on the working of the totalisators at the race meetings held under their auspices, so that the legislature may never have a chance to step in and squash an instrument of gambling, which properly worked, is the fairest that can be devised, and without which several of New Zealand racing institutions would have boen hopelessly stranded ero now." We would go further than merely advising the stewards to be vigilant ; we wauld suggest that each central club of a district — for instance Wanganui — should obtain proprietory rights over any machines to be used on racecourses under the jurisdiction of the Wanganui Jockey Club. By that means the confidence of the public would be restored and maintained, while even the enemies of the machine would be partially conciliated.