SPORTING NEWS.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 28, 16 August 1887, Page 3

SPORTING NEWS.

An Auckland sporting writer makes the following comments on Mr J, O. Evett's handicapping :— “ What a Change has come over the spirit of their dream. The very parties who were instrumental in getting the present handicapper appointed are how interesting themselves in working up a petition to .the Auckland Racing Club to have the work done by a committee. ‘ Too many cooks spoil the broth,’ and handicapping by committee is most unsatisfactory. Surely one can be found in Auckland fit to undertake the responsibilities of the task, Mr Evett has the ability necessary for the work of handicapping, as he has often demonstrated, but his duties hate increased beyond his control, or he has become careless to the study required of him. To handicap for so many clubs and know the form of all the horses running requires the greatest study, but at the autumn meeting it was evident that Mr Evett had hot studied the task set him to handicap the horses so as to bring them together at the finish. The task is full of difficulties, and before taking steps to bring about any alteration, the Club should well consider their position.” A London bookmaker won an adtion against another person interested in the turf to recover £B4O, balance of an account in respect of betting transactions. Plaintiff claimed the amount for losses sustained on commissions executed by him on bets for the plaintiff, with other persons. The defendent oleaded in effect that the bets were not made by the plaintiff as his agent, but were made directly with the plaintiff himself. Mr Justice Grantham, in placing the case before the jury, remarked on the anomalous state of the existing law under which one could recover betting money paid by him as agent for another, but could not recover a debt made directly by himself with another. It was no use moralising, and saying it was not to be so ; but he hoped if no other good came of the case it would be a warning. It was simply a question of the spider and the fly. Bookmakers always considered those persons who dealt with them were made for their good \ although he admitted, as the evidence showed, that bookmakers could carry out their transactions honourably.