GAMING AND LOTTERIES BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2240, 18 November 1907, Page 1

GAMING AND LOTTERIES BILL.

AS IT EAIERGED FROAI COAIAIiITTEE. ITS PASSAGE DOUBTFUL. (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 16. Tlhc Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment Bill has been considered by the special committee allotted to deal with it, and reported to tlio House. Alembers interested in racing were absent from tho committee when tho Bill was being dealt with, and it is likely that in cofftequence of its being considered when they could not attend i.t will be blocked in the Houso, with the result that there will ho little chance of its passing this session. It is freely reported amongst members that one member of the Ministry says it is going through, while another Cabinet Alinister says that .the Bill lias' not got a ghost of a chance this session.

■Several amendments have been made by the Committee in the Bill. Sub-section 5 of seotion 26, regarding street betting, which provided ■that a constable may arrest at any time without warrant, has been struck out. In seotion 2d, which makes it illegal for an officer of a racing club ito accept telegraphic instructions as to investments on the tobaiisator, the word “telephonic” has beeii added. Section SI, prohibiting tlio publication, of advertisement or notification regarding betting in a horse race as to investments oil tho totalisator, has been added to so as to prevent the i>ubli.cation of “any information, advice, or suggestion as to the probable result of any such race.” A new clause has been added rendering liable to a penalty of £2O any person who prints, publishes, or sells any newspaper or other printed document that contains any statement as to the dividend paid on investments oil the totalisator in respect of any horse race, whether run in New Zealand or elsewhere. Section. 42 lias been altered SO' as to permit of >a second place iotalisaitor dividend. The “live minutes before starting” provision in regard to totalisator investments has been struck out. A new clause has been inserted preventing licensed bookmakers from betting after the time notified for the starting of a race. Tlio penalty provided for a breach of the section is a lino not exceeding £IOO.

When the Bill as amended was reported from tho special committee with amendments, Mr. Horries said he lrad a grievance, inasmuch as the Bill had been pub through while .lie and Messrs. Boland and Davey, who took a special interest in it, were absent on important business. They had been led to understand only evidence would be taken. He thought that they might have been conferred with before the contentious clauses were put through.