THE TOTALISATOR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12406, 26 August 1918, Page 5

THE TOTALISATOR.

THE “ODD MONEY,” DAILY LOSS TO NATIONAL WEEK INVESTORS TOTALS £2lO. Speaking at the meeting of the Workers’ Educational Association on Saturday evening, the Hon Q. W, Russeli, dealing with Hospital and' Charitable Aid finance, said that for some time ho had been looking around for new sources of revenue to carry on the ever exitending ramifications of ithe work of the Department. \He did not know whether any of his auditors were patrons of the turf, or whether they were present at-‘the meetings of the Canterbury Jockey Club or the Metropolitan Trotting Club the previous week. However, if they were, they would probably have noticed that an inspector, representing itho Department of Internal Affairs, was present in the'machine. Ho believed that this was a move in tho right direction, and ho thought that ho could see some prospect of revenue which had hitherto been appropriated by the clubs. The totalisator does not pay out, he continued, to investors all the money it receives, less the stipulated percentage. “Odd money” is not paid. For instance, if the dividend works out at £3 17s lid, the totalisator pays £3 17s fid, the balance, &d on every ticket, being retained by the club. If the tickets are 10s ones, ithe dividend is paid as on £3 17s. The following table would show the amount of “odd money” retained during the recent carnival:— £ ■ s. d. Canterbury Jockey ClubFirst day ■. . . . . 125 3 0 Second day . , „ . 345 2 0 Metropolitan Trotting ClubFirst day .... 143 - 8 8 Second day . , , . 227 10 0 £B4l’ 9 6 or an average 0f,£210 7s 4d per day. As a Minister of the Crown, he desired to say that that money does not belong to the clubs. It should clearly be returned to the public. He would, not object if the money were handed oyer to patriotic organisations during the currency of the war, but when peace once more dawned upon a troubled world, ho would endeavour to get hold of the money for the benefit of the Dominion s hospitals, and to assist; the country’s poor. (Applause.)