THE GAMING ACT AMENDMENT BILL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXI, Issue 15456, 7 November 1910, Page 9

THE GAMING ACT AMENDMENT BILL.

An unfortunate error occurred in tho letter, written by Sir George Clifford, president or the Racing Conference, to the Rivorton Racing Club, published in the "Lyttelton Times." on Saturday, which spoiled the souse of ono passage. Sir George wn.s made to refer to •• the curtailment of the day's racing," hut lie was really referring to the curtailment of the ''days of racing." The following is the portion of his loiter bearing on this subject:— •'The steady improvement of the Rules of Racing by the Racing Conference, especially in restriction of bookmakers and in the compulsory registration of partnerships, had abolished or checked many former abuses until the existing Gaming Act practically neutralised the work so done during tho preceding twenty years lor the purity of the turf. If the Rill now before the Legislature passes as reported from the committee it will reverse this mistake, and we shall revert to our previousliealthier conditions. I. therefore cordially welcome the new Bill with but minor exceptions, such as the proposal to limit us to seven races per diem, which seems trivial. Club raciw' in the long summer flays ca „ ]JI( " V ,;,| O better sport for « more varied type 01 horse if they have the additional scop.in their programmes. The curtailment of the days of racing and trotting soem.i unnecessary in view 0 f the diminution

ol racing, which will automatically result from oilier provisions of the Bill, but we can only estimate its effect when the Commission to lx- appointed has done its work. The Bill itself is so reasonably conceived that wo may feel satisfied that this commission, on which so much will depend, will act in the same ypirifc and with an impartial desire to benefit our greatest national recreation."