GREYHOUND RACES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22317, 30 April 1947, Page 6

GREYHOUND RACES

“TOTE” _W ANTED SUPERVISION OF SPORT PROPOSALS OUTLINED (P.A.) NAPIER. April .29. Members of the Gaming Commission were guests last night at a demonstration of greyhound racing. During the clay the commission heard evidence presented by John Hannan, King Country, favouring the licensing of greyhound racing. Hannan, who designed the Napier track and installed the equipment, said he had 40 years' ex: perienee of legalised racing in New Zealand and Australia. Witness advocated the establishment in New Zealand of “carefully policed, rigidly controlled greyhound racing.” as carried out. in Australia. After advo-. eating a 5s totalisator. Hannan stressed the social advantages, mentioning that

it was inexpensive compared with horse racing also the importance of the possible establishment in the Dominion of a breeding industry for greyhounds. He quoted £IO.OOO as an offer which was recently refused for an English dog. Preventing Malpractices Special provisions to prevent malpractices on the course were outlined by the witness, including measures to identify and weigh dogs and supervision by club officials. One big factor, witness said, was that greyhound racing provided a night sport which did not prevent an individual wanting to attend losing working hours. It also created employment for large number of persons and became a regular source of taxation revenue for the State. Witness contended finally that greyhound racing required the assistance of authorised totalisator betting to enable it to flourish. "Does it not seem strange.” he asked, “that betting should be legalised for horse racing and withheld from dog racing? Without betting the sport obviously cannot develop. Where would horse racing be without betting facilities?’’ £SOO For a Dog Mr. Justice Finlay, chairman, said everybody was timorous because if the gates were let down there might be a flood as in England, and there would be no limit to the amount of money invested. When it. was cheap to own and train dogs, were not men prepared to do it for the love of the sport? Mr. T. W. Keenan, a member of the commission, to witness: As the thing develops, how much will a dog cost — £300? Witness: May be £SOO. His Honour: And yet you say it is a cheap sport. Actually you want a tote to keep the sport going. Is that it? Witness: Yes. Other witnesses were heard by the commission on the subject.