METHODS OF GAMBLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3427, 19 January 1912, Page 3

METHODS OF GAMBLING.

THE TOTALISATOR COMMISSION. meets IN wellinG Ton . I run PiUSSS ASSOCIATION-] WELLINGTON, Jan. 18. The Totalisator Commission has arrivod in Wellington, 'and will sit to-mor-row in a room in Parliament buildings. About- 34 witnesses have so far been examined in Now Zealand, and the evidence has favored the totalisator as against the . bookmaker. -Among tho witnesses examined in Auckland were Dr Bennett and Mr Hargreaves, of South Australia, each well-known in Australian sporting circles, and both strongly favoring the totalisator, Mr It. EL Levien, M.L.A., chairman, has been a frequent visitor to the Now South Wales Assembly as representative of Tamworth for 32 years, and is known as the “father” of the New South Walos Lower House. The commission had its beginning in an outcry in Now South Wales for the introduction of the totalisator. Many of tho sporting papers advocated it, and the “Sydney Daily Telegraph” followed suit. Mr Lovi'en, being a horse-owner, and in the interests of snort and the people, introduced a Bill into Parliament, which was eventually referred to a select committee. After the committee had been appointed it was known that Parliament would soon have to adjourn or prorogue, and in either event the committee would lapse, so it was converted into a Royal Commission. In that capacity members have been able to visit South Australia, Tasmania and Now Zealand, and Queensland will follow. Each, of these legalises the totalisator. Inquiry will be held later on in Melbourne into the merits of the rival system in Victoria. The commission so far has expressed no opinions on the results of its labors. They regret that many opponents of tho machine in Northern New Zealand, which had been visited, did not come forward with their objections. \