GAMBLING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4774, 27 January 1887, Page 4

GAMBLING.

+ Sir, — Your remarks on gambling are in serious accord with the statement that the postal revenue has not recovered from the illegalisation of consultations — a deficit that would be satisfactory jf the cure were complete, but which unfortunately is not the case. The principal difference between the bookmakers and the totalisator appears to trie to be that with the one a peraou may bo duped or otherwise in proportion to tho character he is dealing with while with the latter he is often swindled without having the least suspicion, and with no discredit to the owner of the machine. An observant person may notice that what may be called ?cratch races generally pay the highest dividends, which may be accounted for in several ways ; but putting two and two together thero are many little wrinkles by which the pockets of investors maybe lightened. As a proof of the extent to which Austraa lasia has gone racing mad, twenty-five wa the highest number of starters for any race in England during the past season^ Further comparison is unnecessary. But racing aside, you completely ignored one phase of gambling which also does an enormous amount of injury — public-house gambling. The billiard-rooms are perhaps not so much frequented by young men now as they were a couple of years ago, but there is far too much of this class of gambling still, and it appears to be steadily on the increase aa a matter of course if youths are not provided with other means of spending their uparo time. At present there is really no provision for evening recreation — the volunteers are defunct, the gymnasium ditto — which meant throe or four nights in the week for healthy enjoyment— as the evenings lengthen, and the billiard-rooms may expect an influx of young men who will soon enough he able to sustain our present doubtful reputation. — I am, &c. Pastime.