TATTERSALL’S CLUB

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6872, 16 July 1909, Page 7

TATTERSALL’S CLUB

(To the Editor "N.Z. Times.”) sir,—l notice a report in onr local “Herald" of a deputation of clergy and laymen of your city waiting on the Act-ing-Prime Minister, to object to that much-needed institution, Tatersall’s Club, From some of their remarks it would make one wonder that men that we given credit for being possessed of ordinary intelligence should practically confess that they were so closely related ,to that old servant of man—the aes. The legislation of 1907, to my mind, was for the benefit of the sporting public of New Zealand, and although still in crude form v has proved so. According to the confession of the Rev. J. J. North, it has been responsible for closing every bookmaker's office in the city. A clause* in that particular Bill legalised bookmakers doing business on the racecourse. And now that the bookmaker of standing from experience finds that his profession is being abused by spielers, pickpockets, and men of the lower order, attempts to uplift and put bis profession on a pedestal beyond the reach of such vermin and parasites os thrust themselves on the profession since the 1907 legislation, a deputation of meddling clergymen appeal to the Acting-Prime Minister to join them in making much ado labout nothing, and to try and crush an institution that is aiming at the protection of the sporting public. The humorous side of the deputation is that ;it was headed by a J. G. W. Aitken. If I remember rightly, it was an individual of that name that called upon an infuriated crowd to march on Parliament House. Ye gods! deliver us from such law-abiding citizens. Hr Gibb’s remarks are characteristic of narrowness of mind and void of Christian charity, and to my mind showed very bad taste in introducing a terra referring to a race of people that are perhaps jnst as law-abiding and honest a« Hr Gibb. Mr Moore I would advise to make himself acquainted with fact before plunging into deputations. Srdney has the finest sporting club in the world, special legislation having been provided for it I would remind the rev- ; erend gentlemen, laymen, etc., of that truthful quotation—tittle ‘ knowledge is dangerous.—l am, etc., COSMOPOLITAN. Gisborne, Jnly 14th. |