SPORTING NOTES.

Lake County Press, Issue 2134, 6 September 1906, Page 5

SPORTING NOTES.

[By "Peeping Tom."]

DATES OF MEETINGS,

Oct. 24, 25.—Gore Racing Club. Nov. 9,lo.—Winton Jockey Club. Deo. 14, 15.—Lake County Jockey Club Doc. 21.—Alexandra Jockey Club. Jan. I.—Wyndham Eacing Club. Jan. 1, 2.—Vincent Jockoy Club. Jan. 2, 3.—Southland Eacing Club. Jan. 9.—Wairio Jockey Club. Jan. IG, 17.—Gore Eacing Club. Jan. 24, 25.—Tapanui Eacing Club. Mar. 20, 21.—Southland Eacing Club, April 1, 2.—Eivorton Eaoing Club.

No sensible person will attempt to gamsay the fact that tho breeding and perfecting of blood stock is a most interesting and scientific study. Tho true bred , blood horse is ono of the most handsome ; of all noblo animals. Yeb in order that tho thoroughbred horse may be brought to tho highest state of perfection there must bo great inducement offere'-l to the scientific breeder to aim at the highest goal of perfection. No man, be he ever so rich, will sink thousands of pounds to raiso high-class blood stock simply to loot: at. There must bo remuneration ahead and a held provided whereby the prowess and iieetness of tho beautiful animals may be displayed to an admiring public. Viewed on tho racecourse with archedneck and expanded nostrils, with silken mane and coats of satin, the racehorse is indeed a, beautiful picture, admired .dike by tboso opposed to racing as well as by those who are ardent followers of the sport. The racecourse then is the foundation for perfecting tho breeding of the thoroughbred racehorse, and tho remuneration, either directly or indirectly, the rich prizes offered by the various racing clubs for thoroughbred animals to compete for. Our legislation in New Zealand in tho past appear to have recognised the fact that the breeding of thorough-bred stock and all the sunoundings connected with racing composed a very important industry. In order to encourage that industry and protect tho sport of horseracing as well as may be they have legislated a betting machine, called the Totalisator. This machine is licensed to different racing clubs* throughout the colony. Now we all know that tho Stewards of a racing club, bo it small or great, are invariably chosen from the most straight dealing and reputable of men. They receive no benefit or emolument from the position of stewards, however, having accepted the responsibility, they faithfully endeavour to obtain the best results as the peoples representatives in the control of sport and encouragement of racing. Unfortunately, certain individuals to wit small bookmakers when opportunity offers are continually defying tho management of racing clubs by forgoing themselves upon thoir racecourses and betting quietly with all who choose to patronizo them thereby diverting a fair portion of money from tho lcgalisod medium of speculation, and depleting tho clubs coffers of considorablo revenue. This defying the law brings about numorous prosecutions of the small poncillors by different racing clubs. I notice that Mr Bishop, S.M., of Christchurch in dealing with a trespassing bookmaker recently appears to have felt some qualms of conscienco in the discharge of his duty. •'lndividually he said that he loathed to deal with such casos, for as Ion" as Parliament continued to legalize tho° totalisator so long would such cases frequently come before him." Evidently Mr Bishop considers that ono man has as much right to bet as another. So ho has so long as he complied with existing lognl conditions. But when a man knowing and persistently continues to fly in the face of the law and eventually gets prosecuted by tho Secretary of a Jockey Club, I fail to seo why he desires sympathy from any person, least of all from the presiding Justice who administers the law. In certain quarters is is said that the totalisator is again threatened in Parliament, but I trust that the day is far distant when our legislators will be in a majority for the abolition of this perfectly fair betting medium. Do what you may, you can never wholly stamp out betting Abolish the totalisator and. a far worse form of betting will continue amongst our people. Of two evils (I. do not believe it to lie an evil) choose the least, viz., the Totalisator. It has done wonders in New Zealand for the sport of horse racing, and tho encouragement of high-class blood stock raising. Thus our little Island is pointed to from lands afar as the colony wherein soino of tho most brilliant and valuable racehorses of modern times have boon bred and raced. Let tho totalisator remain ; our morals are not deteriorating.