TOTALISATOR COMMISSION

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 19 January 1912, Page 7

TOTALISATOR COMMISSION

MR FOWLDS GIVES EVIDENCE.

BY TELEGRAPH—PHESB ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, Jan. 19. Mr G. Fowlds, in giving evidence before the New South Wales Totalisator Commission, said he opposed the totalisator, which gave added facilities for betting. Asked which he would prefer, Mr Fowlds said unhesitatingly he would prefer the bookmaker, as he would contribute less to the funds of racing clubs, so to that extent the totalisator was a greater promoter of racing than the bookmaker.

Mr A. E., Whyte, secretary of the Wellington Racing Club, expressed the opinion that if double betting by means of the totalisator had not been abolished, the bookmaker . would not be out of existence as such.

Inspector Ellison said he considered the totalisator a far better system for the public than the bookmaking system. Race crowds were more orderly * where no bookmakers existed. If the totalisator was a ,double machine it would ruin the bookmakers.

Mr lan Duncan", owner of the Waikanae stud, said he would at once dispose of his stud if the totalisator were abolished.