RACING PERMITS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10961, 25 July 1921, Page 7

RACING PERMITS

REPORT OF THE COMMISSION INCREASE 0F TWENTY-SEVEN DAYS RECIMMENDED WELLINGTON’S CAIN PROMINENT CLUBS MAY LOSE THEIR LICENSE

The Racing Commission’s report. was issued for publication by the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, Minister for Internal Affairs on Saturday. In a statement to a representative of the "Times” on Saturday morning, the Minister said—"lt will be noticed that the Commission 'has recommended that to certain clubs licenses be not issued. So far as these clubs are concerned, licenses will not be issued, unless Parliament rejects the report; in which case further consideration can be given to the matter. The hecessity for refusing the licenses arises from the fact that, if Parliament acquiesces in the report, there will not be sufficient days left for the remaining clubs, if some of the days have alreadv been absorbed by oluhs that are ont out." Mr Downie Stewart added that the only other point that might ho reiterated was that, before any extra licenses were issued, in accordance with the recommendation of the Commission, Parliament would have an opportunity of expressing an opinion. He wished to make this point auite clear, as it was in accord with the Prime Minister’s promise. The additional licenses would. not he available tdil Parliament considered the report. POSITION AT A GLANCE. The members of the Commission were Messrs Fred Bari (chairman), W. B. Bidwill, WT H. Sefton Moorhonse, James IIWilliams, and Stanley Rice. Stated in brief, the Commissioners recommendation that the number of days on which the totalisator may he used be increased from 289 to 316, made up as follows ; Racing Clubs, 223 (at present 214). Hunt Clubs, 15 (at present 16). Trotting dubs, 78 (at present 59). AUCKLAND LOSES SIX DAYS. , WELLINGTON GAINS FOUR. With regard to the four chief centres, the recommendations of the Commission may be summarised as under Auckland loses six days racing, made up as follows: —Avondale Jockey Club, 4 days; Otahuhu Trotting Club, 4 days; total., 8 days, leas 2 extra days given to Auckland Trotting dub. The Commissioners recommend that a special departmental inquiry be bold regarding the Takapuna Jookey Club as to whether this club is in any sense a proprietory olnb. Dissatisfaction is expressed with the manner in which the business affairs of the club have been and are being administered. Wellington gains four days—namely, one extra day to the Wellington Racing Club and three additional days to the Wellington Trotting dub, which at present has one day only. ... Christchurch loses four days, whioh are taken from' the Canterbury Park j Trotting Club. In the case of Dunedin no alteration is mads. ’ COUNTRY CLUBS. INCREASES. AMALGAMATIONS AND WITHDRAWALS. The report foreshadow* the following changes in so far as country blubs are concerned:— NORTH OP AUCKLAND. The Waipapakauri Basing Cluib (new) receives 1 day.

Northern Wairoa Racing Club, 1 additional day, making 2 days. Whangarei Racing Club, 2 additional days, making 4 days, and Northland Trotting Club (new) 1 day. SOUTH AUCKLAND DISTRICT. Hamilton Racing Club, 2 additional days, making 4 days. Rotorua Jockey Club, 1 additional day, making 2 days. Te Kniti Racing Club, 1 additional day, making 2 days Waipa Racing Club, Te Awamutu, 1 additional day, making 2 days. Taumarunui Racing dub, 1 additional day, making 2 days. Franklin Racing Clulb (new), 2 days, Matainata Racing Club (new), 1 day. Cambridge Trotting Club (new), 1 day. Te Aroha Trotting Club (new), 1 day. Waikato Trotting Club, 1 additional day, making 2 days. HAWKE’S BAY DISTRICT. The Commissioners recommend that the four days hitherto enjoyed by the Gisborne Racing Club be withdrawn; that the club amalgamate with the Poverty Bay Turf Club; and that the latter club be granted three additional days, making seven days in all. The Commissioners also recommend that the. five days, hitherto granted to the Napier Park Racing Club be withdrawn; that that club amalgamate with the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club; and that the latter club’s days be increased from seven to eight. Tolpga Bay Jookey Club, I additional day, making 2 dayß. Poverty Bay Trotting Club, 1 additional day, making 2 days. Hawke's Bay Trotting Club (new), 2 days. The Commisipners recommend, that the one day license hitherto: granted to the Porangahau and Waipawa Racing dubs be withdrawn, and that one additional day be given to the Wai puk urau Racing Club, making two'days for that club, TARANAKI DISTRICT. Taranaki Jockey Club, 1 additional day, making 5 days. Opunake Jockey Club, 1 additional day, making 2 days. Stratford Racing Club. 2 additional days, making 4 days. . Waimate Plains Trotting Club, 1 additional day,' making 2 days. Taranaki Trotting' Club (new), 1 day. WANGANUI DISTRICT.

The Commissioners recommend t-Re withdrawal of the Aahhurst-Pohamging. and Hangitikei Racing Clubs licenses, owing to their proximity to Palmerston North and Marten, respectively. Marten Jockey Club, 1 additional day, making 4 days. lYaverrley-Waitotura Racing Chib, 1 additional day, making 2 days. Waimarino Racing' C3ub (hew), 2 days. Wanganui Trotting Club, 1 additional day, making 3 days. Manawatu Trotting Club, 1 additional day, making 2 days. >

WELLINGTON DISTRICT. The ‘ Commissioners recommend the withdrawal of the Horowhenua and Taratahi-Carterton Racing and South Wairarapa Trotting Clubs’ licenses. Pahiatua Racing Club, 1 additional day, making 2 days. Maeterton Racing Club,-1 additional day making 4 days. Wellington Racing Club, 1 additional day, making. 10 days. Wellington Trotting Club, 1 additional day, making 4 days.

Wairarapa Trotting Club (new), 2 days. J Marlborough Trotting Club, 1 addi- I tioual day, making 2 days. 1 CANTERBURY DISTRICT. J The Commissioners recommend the withdrawal of the Amberley Racing Club’s license, which has been granted to the North Canterbury and Oxford Jockey Club, giving that club 2 days. Waimate Racing Club, 1 additional day,* making 2 days. Mackenzie Racing Club (new), 1 day. Waihan Racing Club (new), 1 day. Timaru Trotting Club, 1 additional day, making 2 days. Methven Trotting Club (new), 1 day. The Cheviot Racing Club’s course was found unsuitable for racing, and, at the club's request, a trotting’license was allotted in lieu of the racing license. WESTLAND DISTRICT. The Commissioners recommend the withdrawal of the Kumara Racing Club’slicense. Nelton Jockey Club. -1 additional day, making 3 days. Motueka Racing Club (new), 1 day. Nelson Trotting Club, 1 additional day, making 2 days. OTAGO DISTRICT. The Commissioners recommend the withdrawal of the Beaumont Riming, Clifden Raqing, Lake County Jockey, Tapanui Racing, 'Vincent Jockey, and Wairib Jockey Clubs’-licenses. Riverton Racing Club, 1 additional day, making 3 days. Tuapeka County Jockey Club, l additional day, making 2 days. Oainaru Trotting Club, 1 additional day, making 2 days. Lumsden Hack Racing Club (new). 1 <siutha Trotting Club (new), 1 day.. Otago Central Trotting Club (new), 1 1 day. Southland Trotting Club (npw), 2 days. SUMMARY OF REPORT. , LEGISLATION REVIEWED. Reviewing the legislation' writh regard to facing, the Commissioners state that at the time of the passing of the Gaming Amendment Act, 1910, the number of days in the racing year covered by totalisator ‘ licenses was—for racing, 242; and for trotting 62; making a total'of 304. No days were at this time allotted to hunt clubs. By virtue of the Act of 1910 a reduction was made in the days of racing of 43 days, leaving 199 days, and in ’ the days of trotting of 11 days, leaving 51 days, the grand total .of totalisator days for the racing year being reduced from 304 to 250, Then, by virtue of Gaming Amendment Act, 1914, and the report' of ' the Commission appointed thereunder, an', increase of 31 dhys was made, being 15 days to racing clubs, S days to trotting ’ clubs, and ' 8 days to hunt clubs. At tile time of the passing of the Gaming Amendment Act, 1920 (No. 2), under' which ’ this Commission came into being, there were therefore 281. days in tile year upon whirl} the totalisator miglti he lawfully used, divided as follows:—Racing clubs, 214 days; trotting clubs, 59 days ; and hunt clubs, 8 days. By virtue, or section 3 of the 1920’ Act, the Minister for Internal Affairs was authorised to issue licenses to. hqnt clubs, for 8 additional days, making a total for hunt clubs of 16 days in the year, and being 1 day for .each hunt club in existence at the time. The position, therefore, was that at the time the Contimssioners entered upon their, inquiry there were '299 day ß '!? all nppn which in any one racing year licenses to use ’ the totalisator' might he peed- The applications received by the Minister for Internal Affairs, ana referred by him to the" Commissioners' during the 'course of the inquiry, disclosed- that gll blubs which at the tjm®h&d licenses, had «•? plied for licenses for the some or a greater number of days, and that a number of hev clubs had also applied for licenses. ' Seven of the eiglit additional days' the Minister for Internal, Affairs became empowered to grant to hunt clubs by the Act of last session were applied for, and 143 days by various racing and ” trotting clnhs, in excess of those granted hy subsisting licenses.. One hunt cldb had beaded to exist.

i GUIDING/PRINCIPLES. UNANIMOUSLY ARRIVED AT. "Upon the completion, of out inquiry (adds the report), and after.jCareful and earnest conmderation, wa, on complete unanimity’, arrived at the following ‘conclusions, namely:— "(a) That "it is highly undesirable, either hy redistribution of the licenses hitherto granted, or by the. issue of additional licenses', or otherwise, to materially increase the volume of totalisator betting in the Dominion. "(b) That, ‘ considering the configuration of the Domini oh, and the scattered nature of its population, the number of race-dsyre pff yesu novr' permitted to not excessive. "(c) That there are anomalies and iniusticee ln'' theprepept ititiribution of licehees which clamour fotr removal and rectification. _ "(d) Thut the population basis tor toe purpose 'of distribution is a. fallacious one, but that population is ah important factor, add should have due' consideration in every ' ogee. "(e) That puttying district*. and Especially districts suffering under ’ tha disabilities" eff isolation, should receive special consideration. "(f) Thaf to achieve any approach to accurate justice a "certain measure uf redistribution is imperative, and the issue of a certain number of additional licenses is unavoidable. ' "(g) That to effect this redistribution, provide these additional licenses, anil remove the ’anomalies and remedy the injnstioee ®ocw present, without increasing the volume of totalisator 'bettine, It’ is inevitable thqt certain clubs enjoying privileges beyond their just deserts, or beyond the reasonable recreation requirements of their respective districts, should suffer curtailment, and that 'others who have outlived their Usefulness, or who are not really necessary to tins districts they purport to serve,/ should' disappear from the' racing-map altpgettrer. " -"(h) That, with regard ‘ to’ what aTe called the jnetropolitan clubs, it should be recognised that the larger of these, clubs are, in a’ sense, national institutions, catering according bo high standJtrds not only tor the population , in their mmediate vicinity, but for the racing community at large, and should not be interfered with unless 'for grave reasons i bnt that the suburban dubs are in quite a- different position,' and are entitled to nine®, leas respect and consideration. "(i) That country chubs, as a class, are entitled to more sympathetic consideration. than they have hitherto received, it being, in our judgment, not only strictly just, but in the public interest. that a sufficiency of recreation should be available for those living at a distance from the larger centres; but that in. certain area 3 a quite unnecessary congestion’ of country clubs was apparent, and should, to some extent, be relieved

©QMING SEASON’® PERMITS. Acting on these guiding principles, the Commission gives a schedule of the clubs which it _ recommends shall he granted licenses during the racing year ’ commencing August Ist npxt.’ The principal metropolitan clubs ’ an<J those in the Wellington, district are dealt with as under:—' • . . .

Auckland Racing Glub, 11 days (present number, 11); Feilding Jookey Club, 4 (4); Foxton Racing Club, 2 (2); Manawatu Hunt Club, 1 (1); Manamatu Racins? <7lxlo, 5 (5); Mar ton TToclcey Olnb, 4 (8); Masterton Club, ‘4 (B)Otaki Maori Racine Club 4 (4); Fahiatua. Raotn« Club. 2 .(1); Wairarapa Racing Club, 4 (4); Wellington Racing Club, 10 (9); Christchurch Jockey Club, 10 (10); Dunedin Jockey Club, 9 (9)j Auckland Trot-’ ting Club, 9 (7); Manawatu Trotting Club.. 2 (1); Wellington Trotting Club, 4 (1); N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club, 9 (9).

IMPROYBMEiNTS REQUIRED. The Comipissiqn expresses the opinion, however, that in tha case of twenty-two of tha clubs the. licensee shall be with** held until oertain requirements specified in the report ha*e, been wholly fulfilled. A.mon? these requirement* are the followingl :-r-

''Afusterton Racing Club—That race-

course and training-tracks be improved to Minister's satisfaction, and proper sanitary accommodation provided in outside enclosure for both sexes." "Wairarapa Trotting Club —That a properly constructed racecourse and suitable appointments to the satisfaction of the Minister for Internal Affairs be provided."

The Commissioners state, by way of explanation that what, in their opinion constitutes. ‘'a properly constructed racecourse and suitable appointments is a racecourse preferably a mile or more in circumference, but not less than seven furlongs (unless there are serious difficulties in procuring a course of such circumference in the district), one ohain wide throughout, fully railed with regulation rail on the inside, properly graded, and made reasonably safe for horses and riders; the appointments to include sanitary accommodation for both sexes both in the inside enclosure and the outside, adequate totalisator-house, jockeys’ room with lockers, and (or reasonably near) lavatory, weighing-room, and room for officials, ambulance room with equipment. and (if and when ’he funds of' the club permit) a crandstand or shelter for the public. These appointments may be considered the minimum. These conditions apply to courses confined to trotting; but in respect of such courses the circumference may be less than seven furlongs." Recommendations for improvements, not involving the withholding of the license, include th© following;—Woodvine District Jockey Club: Adequate accommodation to be provided for outside public. Toxton Racing Club: Course requires to be partly fenced on the outside to prevent horses running off course into the trees. Wanganui Jockey Club: The railing on the inside of this course is too low in places, and should be raised Where necessary. LICENSES REFUSED. Totalisator licenses, covering 41 days in • ail, have been refused to the following dubs previously holding licenses:—The number of days in each case is given in parentheses:— Avondale Jockey Club (4), Gisborne Racing Club (4), Napier Park Racing Club (5), Porangahau Racing Club (1), Waipawa County Racing Club (X), Ashburst-Pohangina Racing Cluib (l), Rangitikei Racing Club (2), Horowhenua Racing Club (1), Taratahi-Carterton Racing Club (1), Woodlands Hunt Club (1), Amberley Racing Club (1), Cheviot Rao ing Club (1), Kumara Racing Club \l)j Clifden Racing Club (1), Lake County Jockey Club (2), Tapanui Racing Club (1) Beaumont Racing dub (1), Vincent Jockev Club (2), Wairi© Jockey Club (1;, Otahuhu Trotting Club (4), South Wairarapa Trotting dub (1), Canterbury Park Trotting dub (4)- For the clubs in “the Wellington district the reasons for the rojectioh of the applications foi Lioenqes pre stated' as follows: Horowhenua Racing Club—Unnecessary; district adequately served by Otakt, Foxton. and Manawatu dubs. TaratajM-Carterton Racing dub—Unnecessary ©wing to proximity to Masterton and Wairarapa Racing dubs. (See note against, South Wpirarapa Trotting Club.) South Wairarapa Trotting Club —Thie club has been in existence many years in a flourishing district, but has made' no headway; and has no course- We consider if a new ’club were constituted, with course in a more central position, it would be beneficial to. the district, and we recommend that a license for a twodays meeting be granted to a new club to be called the Wairarapa Trotting Club, to be formed to race on the TaratabirGarterton course, or within five miles therefrom, to take the place of the Taratahi-Oartertoii Racing Club, South ■Wairarapa Trotting dub, and Masterton Trotting Cluj). NEW CLUB’S LICENSED. The following is the schedule, of the non-totalisator clubs which the Commission reoommends should be granted totalisfitor houses Rqcing ‘ Clubs.—Franklin Racing Club (2) days, ACatamata Racing Club (1), Waipapakcur: Racing dub (1), Wairoarino Racing dub (2), Mackenzie Racing Club (1), VSaiaw Raorng Club (1), Motueka Racing Club (1), Lumsdem Hack Racing (Hub (X); total raping clubs, 10. Trotting _ dubs.:—Cambridge Trotting dub (1), Hawke's Bay, Trotting dub (2), Northland Trotting dub ft), Taranaki Trotting dub (1), Te Aroha Trotting dub (X), Wairarapa Trotting Club (2), Cheviot Trotting Club (1), Methvem Trotting Club (lb Olutha Trotting dub (1), Otago Central Trotting Club (1), Southland Trotting dub (2); total trotting clubs, 14. Grand total, 24. SUBURBAN CLUBS. "A DRASTIC CUT." "It will be observed (continues the report), that a drastic cut has been made in thie totalisator privilegee hitherto enjoyed by certain suburban dufts. This We contend is necessary and proper from every standpoint. It is undeniable that there are too many rapeoouraes in the vicinity of the large towns. Auckland at'the present time has no less than fiv» racecourses within a radius of ton miles from the Chief Post Office, three for raqing and tiro for trotting. Of what may he teamed Auckland suburban clubs

w© have rejected tho claims of two—viz., the Avoncialo Jockey Club and the. Otuhuhu Trottimg Ciub. CASE OF AVONDALEi CLUB. I "With reference to the Avondale Club, the position is most unusual. This club, from its inception, lias had a remarkably small membership. It now haa upon its Toll twenty-nine members, of whom one lias permanently left the dominion. Of the remaining* twentyeight, no less than twenty-three are members of the Auckland Itaciug Club, and, according to the returns furnished, only twenty-one had paid the annual sub scription. Of the sixteen members who fill positions on the committee and stewards, thirteen are members of the Auckland Hoeing Club. Not one of the members of this club lives in Avondale or its vicinity. The committee has obviously not welcomed new members, as is apparent from the fact that only .thirteen have been elected during the last eight years, and the club had an exceedingly discouraging rule with regard to a change In the personnel of its committee. Little or no attention has been paid to the provision of training facilities, and it is therefore not surprising that there is but one small training stable at Avondale. The totalisator was for many years worked for the club by the gentleman who was then, and is now, its secretary —under, contract; but since a -rule of racing prohibiting this came into operation the contract has been held by a firm comprising the son «of the secretary and a partner —the secretary himself, as we are assured, not being intorcvsted. This club is in a strong financial position, and has a very substantial surplus of assets over liabilities. The titles to the racecourse properties stand in the name of three persons, of whom the secretary is one. These persons were among tho original promoters of tho chib. The rules of the club, adopted in j 1909, provide that the properties of the club shall be vested in trustees. No declaration of trust cQxild be This club is unnecessary, and for that nnd other reasons indicated should not bo xionnitted to hold down totalisator licenses, which aro urgently desired by country and other club's with infinitely better claims. OTHER. REFUSALS. "We reject the claims of the Otahuhu Trotting Club (state the Commissioners) for tho reason only that its existence would involve, if it b© allowed to continue( the construction and equipment in competition with the Auckland Trotting Club of a quite unnecessary racecourse. "Christchurch has four racecourses within a radius of five miles from the chief post .office. Dealing with these, wo have rejected the claims of the Can- j terbury Park Trotting Club, feeling ; that from the public standpoint there i© j little isense in this club competing with | tho New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting ; Ciub. the excellently appointed course j of which is but three miles away, and I thereby unnecessarily duplicating expenditure on lands, buildings, upkeep, and administration. We are satisfied that there is no real difficulty in effecting; an amalgamation of these clubs; but, however this may be, we see no reason for the continuance of totalisator privileges to the Canterbury Park Trotting Club.

"In the Hawke's Bay district there aT© two racing clubs serving practically the same district. Of the racecourses ’ of these clubs, by far the better appointed is that of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club. Here, again, there w quite unnecessary duplication of expenditure in lands, buildings, .upkeep, and administration. This is another cnee where an amalgamation is desirable, but whether such bo effected ot not. the claims of tbe Na-pier Park Racing Clifh are, for the reaeons stated* not entitled to favourable consideration. "In Gisborne there is still another case of two racing clubs with courses in close proximity to each other, carrying on tho same class of racing, serving the some racing public, and duplicating expenditure in the same unnecessary manner. By far the better appointed course is that, of the Poverty Bn’ r TurfVClub, and. as we can see no justification or excue© for permitting the Gisborne Racing Club to continue, wo reject its claims. We urged upon these two clubs the obvious advantages of amalgamating, and are satisfied there is ho difficulty in this being effected. RACE DAYS COMPARED. NO INCREASE IN "TOTE" TURNOVER EXPECTED. Comparing the number of race days in the past with the number now granted. the Teport says:— "It will be noted that by our finding tho number of totalisator Tacing days has been increased by nine days, the number of trotting days by 19 days, with the result that the total number of days (including the number of days allotted to hunt clubs by statute) upon which the totalisator may be used in the racing year is thus 316, divided as follows: Racli g clubs, 223 /formerly 214); hunt clubs, \y (formerly 16); and trotting clubs, 78 (formerly 59). "Prior to. tho appointment of the Commission of 1910, racing clubs held licenses covering 242 days, and trottinjf clubs license© covering: 62 day** a total of 304 days for the year. Hunt clubs at this time held no licenses, but now hold licenses for 15 days. It will b© seen that tho number of totalisator day© for racing clubs and hunt club 9 recommended by this Commission is still four days short of 'the total hold in 1910 by racing clubs alone, and the day© recommended for trotting clubs only sixteen in cxcqss of the days held by that branch of the sport iu 1910,

"With regard to trotting, in the report of the Commission of 1910 it was pointed out 'that the peculiar concentration of trotting had been, caused by the exceptional growth of the sport in a few centres, and that this unequal distribution. could not be immediately remedied. The evidence is abundant that since 1910 the sport of trotting has vastly increased. in. popularity, and facilities for its enjoyment are being clamoured for from one end of bhe Dominion to the other. "In view of the pfoVisions of section 3 of the Gaming Amendment Act, 1920 (No. 2), it has been assumed that, bevoTicl satisfying ourselves that the hunt cluSft ■applying' for the days mentioned in. that section aro genuine hunt clubs, reasonably equipped, and fulfilling their function-© as ©u.ch clubs, we .have no responsibility as to the grant of licenses to this class.

■ "Although tho allotment of twentyeight days in excess of the number previously authorised may, at first sight, appear to be a violent departure from the first of the principles laid down in paragraph 3 (a), when tho position is closely examined -it is not really so. Tho days of racing and trotting in Auckland, Christchurch, and Napier aro reduced by twelve days. Estimates marl© by competent authority indicate that the totalisator turnover, which may ho expected from the like number of days plus the additional days granted -Al of which, with the exception of one' day to Wellington racing and three days to Wellington trotting, ©re distributed among country clubs, including some in remote districts—will not materially, if at all, exceed tho turnover that might reasonably have been expected from the days withdrawn from tho city and town clubs" s GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS. RACE CLUBS AS TRUSTEES. "We venture to think (etato the Commissioners in concluding) r the terms of tho order of reference arfi- sufficiently enable us. with propriety, to make th© following comments and recommendation a : "(a) We dosirc to place upon record our complete acceptance of th© principle laid down by the report of the Gaming Commission of 1910—namely, thnt proprietary clement in racing clubs or the course© controlled bv them is entirely objectionable, and should be rigorously elminiimtod in so far as ©Jtita* enjoying totalisator privileges are concerned. W© hold th© view that racing clubs hro,. in a sense, trustees, as regards the proceeds of tho It race meetings, for thnt targe section of tho public commonly called I lie racing public, and while no club should be iulcrforod with, as to tho

manner in which such nroceods are applied, so long as it is reasonably clear such application is for the furtherance of the legitimate purposes of such club, it should be vigilantly seen to by tho governing authorities *of the sport that no profit-sharing by individuals be. allowed to creep jn. "No better recognition of this quasitrusteeship can bo quoted than what has been done and is being done at EJlerKli© by the Auckland Racitng Club for the public of Auckland —indeed, for the public of Now Zealand. In thjs connection we recommend that no club shall he entitled to maintain its totalisator privileges unless it has acquired the freehold, or a substantial leasehold, of the course upon which it races, or unless such course is part of public domain or rtv serve for recreation purposes. Further, it is desired to direct, attention to m mailer which appears to have hitherto received no consideration, but which *soems to he of importance. W© refer to the application of the funds and properties of a club, upon th© happening of its dissolution. As matter# stand, some clubs have bio rules on tho subject.; others have a rule that- the question is to be decided by a meeting of members; other© have boldly provided that th© funds shall ho divided arn-org th© member© for tho time being; others, again, have specified some worthy object to b© benefited. ■ "Whore a club has a small membership and large assets, and no rule—or an unsatisfactory rule—on the subject dt is not difficult to imagine what, in certain circumstances, may bo brought about. "(b) In all case© where 'thi* Commission has indicated requirements with reference to any club, enjoying totalisator privileges it should' bo made one of the duties of tho officer of the Internal Affairs Department who has functions to perform in connection with the totalisat*sT to urge Ilie carrying out of such requirements and in the case and during the continuance of any wilful and inexcusable default the privileges of the offending club should be withheld. Th© same officer should be required to- inquire as to th© provision -for surgical attendance and ambulance accommodation and also as to the sanitary accommodation provided for the public and other persons attending the race meetings he visits in the course -of his’ official duties, and to report to tho Minister thereon, with like consequences to any club found, and continuing after notice, to he in wilful default. In the case of several country' racecourses visited by us w© found an astonishing disregard of ordinary decency in tho sanitary accommodation provided.

"(c) In quite a number of clubs we found a practice of selling only jEI totalisator' tickets. Upon inquiring the reason we were informed it was thought that administration expenses would be higher if I,os tickets wer© also sold. We are strongly of opinion that all clubs should be compelled, a* a condition of their totalisator licenses, to sell 10s tickets in the outside enclosure. We con sider it desirable that 10s tickets should be sold in the inside as well as the outside enclosure.

. "(d) All clubs, but especially those enjoying totalisator privileges for more than one day in the year, should be compelled to provide reasonable comfort, in the matter of accommodation, for the public of the outside enclosure. In some of the country racecourses we observed, with regret, a marked neglect of the outside public. "(e) Where a totalisator license is authorised, by the finding of this Commission or otherwise, covering a stated number of days—whether one or more — it should he permitted tho club to which the same has been allotted, upon good grounds shown, to exchange the same for other licenses, but alwavs so that the aggregate number of days allotted to such/ chib tor the year be not exceeded. "(f) No license, should be granted to any club which fails to provide and maintain properly constructed training tracks suitable* to, and adequate for, the requirements of the district it serves.

(g) It is most desirable in every case, Where to do bo is reasonably possible, that tho club should itself undertake the working of tlio totalisator. The practice, which at present largely prevails, of contracting with machino-proxjrietors on a percentage of turnover basis is to our mind often wasteful, and-objectionable in many. ways.

in* Only 111 exceptional circumstances should a ciub be allowed, to race on any course other than its own, and in no circumstances'should. a license granted to a country club be permitted to be exercised on a city or suburban racecourse.”