TOO BAD TO BE TRUE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 959, 23 July 1908, Page 5

TOO BAD TO BE TRUE.

I learn (writes “The Possible” in the “Canterbury Times”) from a source which can, I think, be relied on as likely to be well-informed, that action is to be taken by the police in the event of bookmakers being found betting at non-totalisator race meetings. The clause in the Gaming and Lotteries Act of last year which affects the position reads as follows: —“Every racing club which is authorised to use the totalisator shall from time to time, on the application of any person who is, in the opinion of the committee, or other managing body of such club, a fit and proper person to be so licensed, grant a license to such persons to enter on any racecourse used or occupied by such club, and there to carry on business as a bookmaker.” Hitherto this clause, while being mandatory so far as totalisator clubs are concerned, has been • regarded as permissive ’n its application to non-totalisator clubs It is ’ held in other quarters,

however, that the Act only contemplated the licensing of bookmakers by totalisator clubs, and that it was all along intended that it should be an offence to bet at non-totalisator meetings. That is not the meaning that one would naturally take out of the clause. At the same time, a refer-

ence to “ Hansard” shows pretty clearly that this was the intention of ...the Government in framing the cause. When ,the Bill was being discussed in the Legislative Council, the Hon. J. Marshall said he would, like to know from the Attorney-General whether, in the case of registered racing clubs which had no permit to run a totalisator, the bookmakers would be allowed on to those courses. In reply the Hon. Dr. Findlay said: “ They can only be legalised to bet on a course on which there is a totalisator.” It will be interesting to note how the matter is viewed by the magistrates and judges in the event of action being taken by the police.