RACECOURSE BOOKMAKERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6491, 10 April 1908, Page 5

RACECOURSE BOOKMAKERS

(From Oar Own Correspondent.) PALM lit; STON, April 9. Mr Abraham, president of the Manawatu Pacing Club, replying in the "Manawatu Times 1 ' to criticisms by Captain Hewitt and the Key. Mr North on' his assertion as republished in the "New Zealand Times" that a union of churches and bookmakers against the totahsator reintroduced ua latter on to racecourses, points out that Mr North's friends in their anxiety to oust the totalisator did not take time to consider what the operation of the Act was likely to be, whereas it now offers a direct incentive to the idle an'd worthless scoundrel of any country to locate himself here and’ endeavour to make a living, if not by his wits then by his lingers. He points out that when tne racing conference strove to have racing reduced by striking olr certain clubs from the list of those to whom totalisator permits should be granted, the then Colonial Secretary relused the recommedation, and the Itacing Conference has since abstained from ottering similar advice. The number of those who live by betting is being rapidly increased by the working ot the Act and the trouble is only just beginning.