THE GAMING ACT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIC, Issue 13459, 4 December 1907, Page 5

THE GAMING ACT.

ATTORNEY.-GENERAL WAITED ON. ' PROTEST FROM BOOKMAKERS. . Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, December ,3.' A disputation of bookmakers waited on the Attorney-General to-day to complain about the manner in which the Gamiug Act had been administered, by the Feildhig Racing Club, arid.to ask that the law should be carried out in the spirit intended by the legislature. The depittiitibh asklkl that a mandate should bs issued to racing ciluhs compelling them to; administer the Act fail ly: The 'bookmakers protested against being charged £2O a day, and also against being roped off in an enclosure. ' ' ! ' The Hon. J. G. Findlny, in reply, said he wanted to explain that the bookmakers had no right to expect,' .arid would 'not get, any indulgence from the Government, The duty of the Government would not permit it to show favour in any shape or form: to any agency of. gambling. He quoted Acts to show that the Government had power to cancel or to refuse licenses for the use of the totalisator, and he indicated that iri.thb •event of «, club asking bookmaker to observe unreasonable conditions; he would advise, 'the Cabinet to have the' club'.s totaiisator permit cancelled. The bookmakers ..had been given legal status, \and ■ they were to bo put in no worse and' no Detter position than the oh tho course. The Act would be administered in a spiritjvoffajrness, and the Government. would a'iSo endeavour to secure absolute 1 observance of its provisions. Ono result of the licensing of bookmakers appears to be the probability of the advent of pony racing. ■ A meeting has been held here ' to"-'form a cliib ab which it ' was stated, negotiations were already proceeding for a course close to the city, and all the money necessary to equip ■it • had been already subscribe' 1 ' It is understood that the. course is at Miramar, where there" is "a large park, 'which was once offeTC-d to tho city, but it i.f now in',private hands. WOOpyiLLE, December 3. The stewards of ths Jockey 'Club have decided to aVow bookmakers on tlie course On their paying £2O per day, and; £2O '• per day for clerks. ' Other conditions- are similar to those at Fcilding.