WINGATUI RACES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12551, 3 January 1903, Page 3

WINGATUI RACES.

■'_•'.'■' TO THE EDITOR.' Sir,'—l had something to,say, about the Porbury races the other day, and now I would like 'to bliow a similar amount cf attention to those at Wingatiii. I do not knbw if the racing people think the latter meeting a success or a failure. I daresay: the few. persons who pocketed the dividend .of' 125 sovereigns at least consider themselves in-luetr, although it is. just possible a time may come when ther may see, cause to . change their opinion. .It;is not an'imaginary.' or-very'uncommon experience to realise that i ...what was, at the outset, regarded as a veiled loveliness speedily developed into the empty ' eye-sockets, the flcshless. cheeks, and ;th'e grinning teeth of a Death's Head.'; But whoever in ■ the/ first' flush of- gratified greed, did other than a vaticination with sublimated linsolence and contempt? One vvonders what are the first sensations of those-' who suddenly acquire considerable sums/of money, to which they have no valid. or;hon?st claim ;—I should think they must; he of rather a mixed character, more especi-! ally'-when the ; amount is quite uhexp.fqted.. It is no part of my business to inquire how such an abnormal sum could be'got as it did; the racing. people must settle that' - n'piong-themselves. The cause'for public" regret in connection with it centres in the fact that such a dividend becomes an enr couragement to weak and foolish people to continue their gambling infatuation. . I'bote from your, report- that., while the attendance was smaller than at the summer meeting of last year; the money put upon the;tofalisator was only a mere fraction less, wrhicli may be taken to mean that the gamblers are diminishing in number, but those who remain are; apt to become more reckless. The social reformer is holding-his '.own;'. probably making some very slow pro-' ?resß, biit I have no illusions on the subject. : His;furrow is very hard to hoe, and,l do wish-a good many more took a turn at it. The old year is dying—and I closa its record. 'The new year comes to us with, promised '. " work'and. fitting wages. Let us enter upon itjibating no jot of heart or hope.—l am, etc., X "December 30. Wimiam Hutchison.