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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 168, 12 October 1893, Page 4

The Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club have determined to make bookmakers ‘ sit up’ if they persist in wagering on their course. The club has inserted an advertisement in the local papers in connection with their Spring Meeting which reads : ‘ Any bookmaker laying wagers within the grounds used for this race meeting will be ordered to leave the grounds. In the event of his refusal he will be removed therefrom, and, if necessary, prosecuted. Any person who, having been evicted, re-enters, will be prosecuted for malicious trespass.’ This is warm—very warm. Had the club cautioned the books against laying ‘ tote’ odds no one would venture to question their action, but to prevent the opening of a book under any circumstances is rather severe. But probably the pencillers have only themselves to blame. Had they taken to heart the warnings delivered in the past by the club respecting 1 tote’ odds the present sweeping act would probably never have taken place. But we think it would be fairer if the club followed the example of the Auckland Racing Club and licensed the metallicians. If they persisted in offering machine odds they could then be ‘ removed,’ ‘ evicted,’ &c., according to the terms of the club’s manifesto.