“TOTE’S” TEST RUN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 31 August 1929, Page 13

“TOTE’S” TEST RUN.

A DUMMY 'BABE. HALE A MINUTE TO PAY OUT. Pressmen wore pupils at a new “school” at Leeds on Juno 22, when at the northern headquarters of the Racecourse Racing Control Board, they had an insight into the way in which the totalizator would operate for the first time in England at the Carlisle race meeting on July 2:—

Dummy money was issued and pressmen .wore invited to make bets at one oi’ other of the small windows in the dummy “tote,” operated by a team of clerks who had been trained as experts. Then followed a hectic three minutes, during which a thriving business was done until the machines “closed.” In little over half a minute the returns of the business done were all complete; the dividend calculators had done their part, and the dividend declared at 4s (id per share on the winner. It will be possible to make bets on the tote up to the “off,” and for courses with large attendances a fully recognised installation will be set tip. Parts of the mechanical equipments for these t ota lisa tors will be portable, and will be used next season at Newcastle, York and Pontefract.

The first fully mechanised totalisator in the north will bo in operation at Ayr on September IS. At Carlisle. Lanark. Bogside, Thirsk and Catteriek tickets will be sold by hand from windows.

Tiro, totalisator was in use for the first time in Yorkshire at Catteriek on August 2.

The totalisator in charge of officials of (lie Bncecou rso .Betting Control Beard was in operation- at Slceety Park pony races, Swansea, at the end of June.