“TIN” HARES AGAIN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 5 October 1931, Page 8

“TIN” HARES AGAIN

LATEST N.S.W. SCHEME MR LANG WANTS REVENUE BEETING TO BE LEGALISED SYDNEY. 25th September. Not satisfied with- tho gambling opportunities provided for the public by the establishment of the New South Wales State Lottery, the Skate Government proposes now to rc-lcgalisc tho “tin ’ hare coursing propositions, which created an unsavoury scandal in Sydney several years ago. It is part of.Mr Lang s wild 'search for revenue. Tho American who started the sport in Sydney some years ago, and left tho State after clearing up many thousands of pounds from the venture, is back in Sydney again, and he is believed to be behind the move to rehabilitate tho sport. The Premier, in response to an inquiry in the House, announced that lie intended bringing down a bill to reintroduce "tin” hare betting. It was tho prohibition on betting that killed the sport before. Drastic fees are proposed, they will include a tax of 25 per cent, on admission prices, one penny on betting tickets in Iho Leger, twopence in the Paddock, and 25 per cent, on bookmakers’ turnover. It is estimated that tho taxes from the new form of betting will yield £IBO,OOO a year.

Following on tho Premier’s statement, shares in ( lie Greyhound Coursing Association, which were quoted at'l3s 6d on Wednesday, wore subject to immediate dealing. Buyers offered 17s 6d, but sellers asked for 30s. Other tin hare scrip advanced also. When the prbvious boom was on, the Greyhound Coursing Association was formed with a capital of .1112,000. I ro(its and dividends were on a lavish scale, and the market went as high as £lO a share. The capital of the company was increased to £20,000 from the profits. Other companies soon opened in Sydney and at Newcastle, Bithgow and Cessnock. Tho Government’s intention is to bring the new scheme within tho scope of an amendment to the Winning Bets Tax Bill, and, because this is a money hill, hopes to get it through tho Upper House without alteration. The Legislative Council must either reject a money hill altogether, or pass it without alteration. However tho premature announcement of the Government’s plans had prepared tho. Opposition, and it is probable that I,he bill will he referred hv the Legislative Council to a. Select Committee, in the same manner as was tho Arbitration Bill. As one member of the Council put it, “Wo should be happy to hear the evidence of one or two specious gentlemen I could name.” (The hill was subsequently passed by Hie State Assembly; but last Friday night was rejected by the Legislative Council on (lie third reading.)