THE PERNSCIOUS BOOKMAKER.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10498, 5 July 1910, Page 2

THE PERNSCIOUS BOOKMAKER.

(Peb Press Association.) Auckland, July 4. The Auckland Ministers' Association, at a meeting to-day, . received a letter signed by a large number of business .firms drawing attention to the recent references by Mr Justice Chapman to the gambling evil, and particularly to the legalised bookmaker. The letter suggested that on Sunday next, or such other day as may bo convenient, special services on gambling bo preached in all the churches, and that petitions be placed in the churches for signature requesting Parliament to revise the recent legislation in tho interests of public morality. Tho request of the letter' was approved, and a committee was appointed to give effect to it. By Telegraph. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, July 4. The Bookmakers Bill introduced by ! Sir W. J. Steward is brief and to the | point. The chief operative clause reads i as follows: "From and after the passing of this Act no license shall be granted to any person to carry on, business as j a bookmaker on any race course, and every such license theretofore granted shall lapse and be of no effect, and every bookmaker who either by himself of by means of any agent, clerk or servant makes, or offers to make any bet or wager on any race-course, or on any land or place situated within one mile thereof, and every such agent clerk or ■ servant who so makes any bet or wager is liable for a first offence to a. fine of not less that £2O and not exceeding £IOO, and for a second or any subsequent offence to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three mbnths. The bill also proposes to prohibit bookmakers betting at rifle matches or shooting competitions, and to do away with the section in the original Act, allowing racing clubs to license bookmakers.