H.—2B

3

4. Holding the views above expressed, we do report our opinion as follows, viz. : that the racing clubs to which licenses are to be granted under section 50 of the Gaming Act, 1908, in the racing-year commencing on the Ist day of August, 1921, are the raping clubs, hunt clubs, and trotting clubs mentioned in the first column of the First Schedule hereunder ; and that each such club should have the number of licenses set opposite its name in the second column of the said schedule ; and that the number of days authorized by each such license, and the aggregate of days covered by the licenses granted, should be as set forth, opposite to the name of the club, in the third and fourth columns respectively of the said schedule. 5. We further report our opinion that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the grant of license or licenses to such of the aforesaid clubs as are mentioned in the first column of the Second Schedule hereunder should be withheld by the Minister of Internal Affairs unless and until, as to each case, he be satisfied that the requirements set forth in the second column to the Second Schedule have been wholly fulfilled. We further and specially report our opinion that, notwithstanding the Takapuna Jockey Club is a racing club among those to which we recommend licenses should be granted, all licenses to that club be withheld unless and until the Minister of Internal Affairs be satisfied, after special departmental inquiry-— which we advise —that (1) the said club is not wholly or in part, or in any sense, a proprietary club, and (2) that its present methods of administration have been so far improved as to conform with usual and accepted standards. We have objections to the manner in which the business affairs of this club have been and are being administered, but, desiring to avoid burdening this report with detailed comments thereon, it may suffice if we state, as one item to which we take strong exception, this club, although pressed to do so, was unable to produce any rules showing how it was constituted or its affairs were governed. 6. In the Third Schedule we have set out the names of certain clubs included in the First Schedule, and have set opposite their names in the second column thereof our recommendations as to improvements in their racecourses, appointments, and generally. We recommend that the Minister of Internal Affairs do insist upon the requirements stated being fulfilled within what may appear to him to be a reasonable time, and that upon and during the continuance of wilful and inexcusable default by any such club its license or licenses be withheld. 7. In the Fourth Schedule we have set forth the names of clubs hitherto holding totalizator licenses the applications of which for totalizator licenses have been rejected, and opposite to the name of each club—shortly expressed-—the reasons for such rejection. 8. In the Fifth Schedule wc have set forth the names of clubs which have not hitherto held totalizator licenses, but to which we have thought proper to allot licenses. 9. In the Sixth Schedule are set forth particulars of all applications made by clubs for totalizator licenses for the year commencing Ist August, 1921. 10. Suburban Clubs. —It will be observed that a drastic cut has been made in the totalizator privileges hitherto enjoyed by certain suburban clubs. This we contend is necessary and proper from every standpoint. It is undeniable that there are too many racecourses in the vicinity of the large towns. Auckland at the present time has no less than five racecourses within a radius of ten miles from the Central Post-office, three for racing and two for trotting. Of what may be termed Auckland suburban clubs we have rejected the claims of two—viz., the Avondale Jockey Club and the Otahuhu Trotting Club. With reference to the Avondale Club, the position is most unusual. This club, from its inception, has had a remarkably small membership. It now has upon its roll twenty-nine members, of whom one has permanently left the Dominion. Of the remaining twenty-eight, no less than twenty-three are members of the Auckland Racing Club, and, according to the returns furnished, only twenty-one had paid the annual subscription. Of the sixteen members who fill positions on the committee and stewards, thirteen are members of the Auckland Racing Club. Not one of the members of this club lives in Avondale or its vicinity. The committee has obviously not welcomed new members, as is apparent