BETTING ON TOTALISATOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17242, 19 August 1919, Page 7

BETTING ON TOTALISATOR.

* OPPOSITION BY CLERGYMEN. [BT TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION".] CHEISTCHURCH, Monday, j ' At a meeting of the Council of Churches to-night, the Rev. J. J. North said he had been informed that efforts would be made next session to increase the totalisator permits, especially to country clubs. There were alarming developments in connection with the whole matter of racing. He moved: "That in view of the surreptitious attempt by racing clubs to secure legislation enlarging gambling facilities, and undoing the restrictions imposed by the considered legislation of idlO : (1) This council urges on the Prime Minister the impropriety of treating a matter so vitally ccnnected with the well-being of the country by the present Parliament. (2) Instructs its committee to present to the rtxt meeting of the council a survey of the conditions of the State licensing of pr.mbling, and the probable effects of the amendments which the racing clubs are urging." The motion was carried unanimously.

SOLDIER SETTLERS. ■o AN ISOLATED DISTRICT. HARDSHIPS IN BACKBLOCKS. URGENT NEED FOR ACCESS. [BY TELEGRAPH.-tOWN CORKESPqNDENT.] TAUMARUNUI. Monday. A few miles down the Wanganui River, at a place called Retartike, 40 soldier settlers are struggling for a living and trying to win out with a home. These men are reported to be, having a hard life. The block of 40,000 acres is undulating bush country, very steep in parts, but when cleared will carry two sheep to the acre. The holdings vary from 400 to 1600 acres, and the men are living in tents with only tracks to their sections. The present arrangement for financing the men is most unsatisfactory, but want of access is the worst feature. The present outlet is the Wanganui River, but gome of the settlers are seven and eight miles back. Raetihi and Raurimu are 35 miles away, and the settlers chief hopes centre on enterprise from tie Taumarunui end, from which a road is being pushed down the river bank. This road is now within eight miles of the Retaruke settlement, and when completed the trade will go to Auckland instead of to Wanganui or New Plymouth. To get to the Stratford railway would require a bridge over the river at Retaruke and a fifteen-mile road. It costs '16s a bale to ship wool from Retaruke to Wanganui, and five guineas per ton to ship stores from Wanganui to Retaruke. the distance being 105 miles. Some time ago it cost £50 to convey a sick man by launch to Taumarunui. At Taumarunui a traffic bridge is in course of completion, but has been held back for want of iron work. When this is completed the road will be pushed to Retaruke and metalled. A lot of other good country will also be opened up.