GAMING BILLIN DANGER

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIII, Issue 14353, 19 November 1910, Page 2

GAMING BILLIN DANGER

, COUNCILS AMENDMENTS. i ' The amendments made in the Gaming Bill by tlie Legislative Council are such, as may make it very probable that the Bill will be killed, writes the Parliamentary correspondent of "The Press." For instance, the Council has struck out the proviso inserted in the House'instructing; the Commissioners to give preiarence in tlie issue of totalisator permits to one day (country) clubs. Then again tlie Council by a majority 1 of one vitally altered anotner provision that had caused a great deal, of discussion in the House. This is the provision that limited the number oi' races. to be run. in any one day to seven. The Bill originally provided for eight races and Mr .Samuel was now instrumental in having eight races reinserted in the Bill.

A considerable amount of discussion took place on the question as to whether betting in a building was illegal. Dr Findlay explained that there was nothing in our law at the present time to make betting in a prTrate office or m a private room illegal so long as such room or office did not become a resort for betting. He also explained ~. , • was Mt a measure abolishing the calling of the bookmaker. All' it sought to do was to prevent the bookmaker from p]ving his trade in a public place or quasi-public place. That was as far as they could go at present. This is regarded as very important as coming from the Attorney-General. The division 011 Mr Samuels's amendment was as follows :—•

For the amendment (eight races) — 13, the Hons. Callan, liigg, Jenkinson, Stevens, Lougbnan, McLean, Ormoiid, Kelly, Thompson, Wigram,. McGowan, Sinclair, Samuel. Against the amendment Findlay, H ns. Luke, Paul, Barr, Jones, Beelinn, W. C. Smith, G. J. Smith Baldey, Collins, Aristey, Harris. After this division tlie AttorneyGeneral said he did not know whether progress should not he reported. Mr Samuel: Let-us finish the Bill. Dr. Findlay: I don't know whether it is worth while in view of tlie amendment that has been carried and what took place in the House. The 81l eventually got through the i Council and was read a third time ajid passed.