Untitled

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 125, 15 December 1892, Page 5

Advantage was taken of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting to hold a 1 meeting in the »Southern capital of bookmakers and cash fielders from various parts of the colony “ to consider the action of the Jockey Clubs of New Zealand in connection with betting on racecourses.” Those present represented Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Timaru, Ashbur- , ton and Dunedin. It was resolved to form an Association for the whole of New Zealand for the purposes of defence, and “to give the bookmakers a better status with the public and the clubs.” Forty members enrolled themselves, and it was resolved to take stringent measures to contest any difference arising with the Jockey Clubs. The full amount of the expenses of the appeal cases pending in Christchurch referring to totalisator bet- ‘ ting and trespass was subscribed in the room. The bookmakers seem to wish it to be distinctly understood—and rightly so—-that their Association has been formed for the purposes of defence and not of attack. On these lines there can be no objection to the formation of a Bookmakers’ Association. There will, however, be some curiosity evinced to see how the new Association works and what its aims, objects, and business really are. It will be observed that Auckland was was not represented when the Association was formed. The fact is that there is no need for the Auckland metallicians to become members of such an Association, for the simple reason that they are licensed by Auckland Tattersall’s ' Club in conjunction with the Auckland Racing Club to ply their calling on all racecourses within the A.R.C.’s jurisdiction. Were there Tattersall’s Clubs existing in other parts of the colony than Auckland —which boasts of the only club of the kind in New Zealand—the other Metropolitan Clubs could license bookmakers, and there would be no need of any Bookmakers’ Association formed “for the purposes of defence.”