THE GAMING BILL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8875, 8 November 1907, Page 4

THE GAMING BILL.

The general opinion among prominent racing men in various parts of the colony is that the new Gaming Bill will require very considerable amendment to make it workable. Representative snorting men who have been interviewed by southern press reporters confirm the view we took upon the introduction of the bill respecting the provision to close the totalisator five minutes before the advertised time of starting of each race. Mr Pyne, the Chairman of the Canterbury Jockey Club, thir>ks I this provision is a great mistake. He points out that a start} might be delayed for ten minutes, and the totalisator would then be closed for a quar--1 ter of an hour before the race started, thus giving a tremendous advantage to the bookmakers, who would carry on their operations without the totalisator opposition for that period. He thinks two minutes before the actual start would be the proper thing. Mr Pyne is, further, opposed to the abolition of the second dividend system, and also to the provision compelling clubs authorised to use the totalisator to grant licenses to bookmakers on application being male. The Hon. G. McLean, M.L.C., and Mr Harcourt, President of the Wellington Racing Club, hold similar views. A strong effort will probably be made to have the objectionable provisions amended.

The splendid example of practical sympathy set the other day by His Excellenpy the Governor and Lady Plunket in connection with the Rev. Mother Mary Joseph Aubert's Home for mentally and physically incurable children is bearing good fruit. It will be remembered that their Excellencies put in some hours' physical work in removing rubble from the neighbourhood of the Home up a steep incline, to where it was required for the construction of a reservoir. It is now stated that another party of sympathisers intends to devote King's Birthday to further assist the Sisterhood in shifting material up the hill. The day's work is to commence at half-past eight in the morning. If reliance is to be placed in a statement recently made by a prominent Government supporter, there is a i

prospect of Mr W. F. Masney, bader of the Opposition, having a strong support in the next Parliament. The member in question gives Mr Massey a following of thirty-five after the next general election. This member has socialistic tendencies, and cannot be accused of bias in favour of the Opposition. It is stated that his estimate is based upon his knowledge of the i< -Hug in the country. / Among the many ameir.'ments of the present law, which an contained in the Education Act Am":u.hnent Bill, introduced into the L«islature thi week are several relati- g to scholarships. One junior scholar.ship is to 'be provided for every 1,000 children in average attendan.;<\ instead of 5,000 as at present. This increases the number of scholarships by adding to it six Queen's scholarships, which are to be abolished. The age limit is raised from thirteen to fourteen years. In regard to benior national scholarships, .they are increased in number from sixteen to twenty, which includes four Queen's scholarships to be abolished.

The Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill, which was circulated last night, is intended to strengthen the financial position of Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards in regard to the providing of various institutions. The borrowing powers of the Boards are to be extended so as to allow them to borrow on mortgage of any land vested in them. It is provided that the moneys payable to a Board by the contributory local authorities shall include all moneys required for the purchase of sites for hospitals or other institutions which the Board is authorised to erect, and all funds required for the erection, repair, -extension, alteration or equipment of such institutions. The Town Boards of town districts, which are nut parts of counties, are to be contributory local authorities. An amendment to the Public Health Act introduced into the Legislature 011 Wednesday gives power to two or more Hospital Boards to establish sanatoria for consumptives. Provision is also made for the establishment of infectious disease hospitals, and the apportionment of the cost between the local bodies interested. Power is given to district health officers and other medical officers appointed by Education Boards to enter schools for the of examining children and notifying the parents or guardians of any disease or bodily defect from which children may be suffering.