THE GAMING ACT.

Northern Advocate, 18 November 1910, Page 5

THE GAMING ACT.

TO OPERATE FROM JANUARY IST,

STREET BETTING PENALTIES.

WELLINGTON, Nov. 18

The Gaming Bill was considered in committee of the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon. The Attorney-General carried an amendment making the whole Act come into operation on January l?t next, instead of on the passing of the Act.

Clause 2, dealing with penalties for street betting, was eliminated, and a new sub-clause inserted providing for a minimum penalty of £20 for street betting, and for a like fine or imprisonment for three months for any subsequent offence. "Street" is defined as any public road or thoroughfare or lane, footway or waysido (whether a thoroughfare or not or public or not).

Clause 4 was amended, giving any servant of a club or a constable power to remove offenders from race courses and any person so removed is liable to the infliction of a £50 fine or a month's imprisonment if he re-enters the course on the same day. This is to apply to all racecourses, whether or not subject to right of public entry.

At Clause 5 (the Governor may appoint a commission to determine the number of licenses to be issued during the year), the Hon. J. Rigg took strong exception to the clause, as it would, he declared, throw the whole power into the hands of metropolitan clubs. He moved to strike out Ihe first five words, with the object of killing the clause. Dr. Findlay urged that the Council should pass the section, on the assumption that the Commission would be composed of proper persons. The amendment was defeated by 14 to 13. The Attorney-General moved to strike out sub-clause 2 of Clause 5, giving preference in the matter of licenses to those clubs which use the totalisator at one meeting only in any one year. The Hon. Rigg moved a pri:>r amemlment to strike out the words "at one meeting," and to substitute the wor.d3 "one day." This, he explained, would give preference to 20 clubs only. It: the sub-clause were struck out alt> <rether the, paßsa.se o? t.iie Bill through the House would be jeopardised. The clause was deleted by 22 votos to 10, and the Council adjourned ct 5.30 p.m. In the evening the Gaming Bill was further considered. The sub-clause limiting- the numbir of races in one day wgs altered, on the motion of the Hon. O. Samuel, from 7 to 8. Dr. Findlay secured the insertion of a provision making illegal betting in hotels. Machinery and verbal amendments wore made in other sections, and the Bill was read a third time and passed.

TELEGRAMS

(Press Association.)