TOTALISATOR PERMITS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19374, 9 January 1925, Page 2

TOTALISATOR PERMITS.

WAIMATE CLUBS’ APPLICATIONS. In connection with tho allocation of totalisator permits, ag provided under iho Gaming Amendment Act passed by Parliament last session, the Hon, R. F. Bollard (Minister of Internal Affairs), at the request of tho Waimato Racing Club, visited tho racecourse yesterday afternoon. Tho Minister was met by the president (Mr J. Matheson) and members of tho Waimato Racing Club. A deputation from the Trotting Club was also in attendance After being shown over the buildings, tho Minister expressed appreciation at the facilities provided and also with the improvements. Tho buildings he stated, compared very favourably with those provided in some of the larger centres, and the district was to bo congratulated on having such excellent facilities available for carrying on the "king of sports.” “The grand stand i 3 excellent,” added the Hon. Mr Bollard. With regard to a totalisator permit, Mr Bollard said ho was in a difficult position, as he was allowed to allocate only 12 permits out of the 57 applications received. “Racing in some of the districts in the dominion,” he remarked, “seeing to have got into a pocket, and it is the desire of the Racing Conference and of myself, as Minister of Internal Affairs, to fry and remedy matters and equalise, if possible. the meetings to the benefit of tho sporting communities throughout Now Zealand. From the conferences I have had I believe this can bo managed, and it will bo a good thing for the country.” Continuing, he stated that the Government did not want men leaving their farms to go to tho cities. They must bo provided with the amusements enjoyed by tho people of the centres, and, talcing this into consideration, he was endeavouring to assist country racing clubs in tho applications made for assistance under the Gaming Amendment Act. As far as the Waimato Club's application for an additional day’s racing was concerned, he assured j (hem ho would give it every consideration. Mr W. E. Taylor, on behalf of the Trotting Club, extended a cordial welcome to the Minister. Ho emphasised the strong hold trotting had in the district, and added that the membership of the club could be increased considerably. An application had not boon put in for a permit, I ns the committee had decided to approach j the Minister when he visited tho district. I They hoped the application would he given j due consideration, and, if possible, a porI mit granted. j Mr Bollard, in reply, stated that as far as trotting was concerned ho had to make an allocation of 19 permits from the 50 applications received. Ivvery case, of course, would bo considered on its merits, and that was the 'best he could do for them at present. The Minister afterwards left by motor for Timaru. _■