RACING CONFERENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 July 1935, Page 7

RACING CONFERENCE

BOOKIES’ REINTRODUCTION THE ISSUE SHELVED [FEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, July 12. The question of the reintroduction of bookmakers was threshed out at the Racing Conference to-day and after full discussion, the delegates decided against taking any action either with a view to their legalisation or.to the investigation of the situation. The subject was introduced by a remit from Auckland Racing Club, “that the Conference take into consideration the question as to whether or not the licensing of bookmakers, under conditions approved by the Conference, should be permitted by law.” The remit, by permission of the Conference, was amended to provide: “That the Conference approve of the licensing of bookmakers, the details of regulations under which they should operate to be left to the Conference.”

Several delegates argued that it was preferable to bring underground betting to the surface and control it, and to receive the benefit of its taxation.

Hon. E. R. Davis, of Auckland, presented a petition signed by 553 New Zealand owners and trainers asking for the return of the bookmakers under proper safeguards and control as •the .Conference might determine. Other delegates argued that the time was not opportune for a Bookmaking Bill. Mr D. M. Findlay , (Wellington) moved an amendment that, if the trend of opinion toward bookmakers was found to increase, the Executive should consider the formation of a committee to sift the whole question and make a recommendation. The motion was withdrawn, in its favour, but the amendment was defeated, and the discussion lapsed. FATE OF APPLICATIONS Applications by the following chibs for extra days of racing were not granted on the ground there were no spare days for allocation :- i -Carterton R.C., Waikouaiti R.C., Marton J.R., Matamata R.C., Waverley R.C., Rotorua R.C., Taranaki J.C., Waipa R.C., Westland R.C., Rotorua and Bay of Plenty Hunt, Greymouth J.C., Maramarua Hunt Club, Franklin R.C., Stratford R.C., and Takapuna J.C. Certificates of registration of the following clubs were cancelled, as they did not appear to have held meetings during the past four years, or were defunct: Awakino Beach, Dunstan, Strath-Taieri and Omarama. As the Cromwell Jockey Club’s fixture clashed with the Invercargill Trotting Club’s meeting, the Cromwell Club was granted permission to hold the meeting on March 13 and 14.

The application of R. E. C. Powell, Dargaville, for remission of the balance of his term of five years’ disqualification, was refused as was a similar application by L. H. Watson a jockey. The Otago Hunt Club and the Greymouth Jockey Club made application to include trotting events in their programme, in terms of the resolution submitted by the executive committee. It was decided that in view of the authority previously given to certain clubs to include trotting events in their programme, the practice be continued except that after January 1, 1936 no Hunt Club is to include trotting events in its programme or at any meeting held by such club at which the totalisatoi* may be used..