ELLERSLIE DOUBLES TOTE UNABLE TO COPE WITH CROWD’S DEMANDS

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 June 1950, Page 3

ELLERSLIE DOUBLES TOTE UNABLE TO COPE WITH CROWD’S DEMANDS

AUCKLAND. Last Night (PA).— The doubles totalisator on the first day of the Auckland Racing Club’s Great Northern Steeplechase meeting at Ellerslie on Saturday proved inadequate to cope with the demand of bettors. There was a short demonstration by i more than ISOO bettors shut nut of the doubles totalisator when it closed at 12.30 p.m., before the first “leg,’’ the Great Nuthern Hurdles. There were boos and cries of “Why don't you build a better tote?” before the crowd broke up. By 11 a.m., an hour after the doubles totalisator opened, the dejman l was very heavy and many waited .the queue for between an hour and an hour and a-half before reaching one of the 16 windows. Those waiting were angered by the number of people who stood about the queues • looking for friends or chance ; acquaintances to put their money on for them. This undoubtedly slowed down the handling of the erowd. i Some were seen at the windows coni suiting long lists and buying as many l as 30 tickets. “In Australia it is illegal to place bets for another person,” said Mr. W. S. Spence, secretary of the club today. “Unfortunately there Is no such provision here in New Zealand, although we feel there should be.”