Totalisator Regulations.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 674, 20 October 1891, Page 3

Totalisator Regulations.

[n z rsfebee] With the introduction of the totalizator tax there was issued a series of regulations in the Gazette which secretaries of racing Clubs will do well to study carefully. They are a bit intricate, and we shall not bo a bit surprised if some secretaries are soon caught tripping over them. In the now act by wbich the totalisator tax was brought info operation, it was provided that the Governor may by warrant under his hand make, aPer and revoke regulations for providing for the granting permission to use the totalisator, and for the mode of oavment and collection nf the stamp dutj imposed by section 3 nf the Act; for arranging with any Racing Cluh for the collection and payment of the stamp dutv payable by any other Racing Clnb, Committee or Association in the same provincial district; and for prescribing the form of *any statem o nt. affidavit, declaration, bond or other instrument required bv gpfjfinn Bof the Act. It is fkat nf al! provided that the term “Racing Club” shall mean and include every horse-racing club, racing committee, racing association, and trotting club • and the term ** race meeting ” includes any meeting held by or uncl°r the management of a trotting club Rvery statement required by the Act tn he forwarded to »be Colonial Secretary shall be signed by nne of the stewards and be verified by the oath nf the Secretary or other chief executive officer of the Club on behalf of the statement is forwarded A form of affidavit is set not in the regulations Secretaries of C'nbs must particularly bear in mind that the amount of stamp duty has to be paid within 14 days after a race meeting is held and if they make default thev are nnt only liable to a penalty not exceeding £lOO. and nnt less than £5, but they are also in danger of losing the use nf the totalisator altogether. Regulation No. sis very clear on this point. It says : — “ If the commissioner of stamps shall notify to the Colonial Secretary in writing, that any racing club, as herein defined, has failed to pay the stamp dutv imposed by this Act, the Colonial Secretary may withhold from anv such racing Clnb hie permission tn use the totalisator at any subsequent race meeting or meetings until each duty and any fines accrued be paid ; and that without prejudice to the recovery of any penalty imposed by the said Act or thee* regulations.” This •erm" a bit bard on officials of racing dobs, but there is something more severe behind, for another regulation lays it down that the Colonial Secretary “ may ” stipulate, before granting to any club a license to use the totalisator, that such club, or anv two or psora officers thereof, shall give security tn the satisfaction of the Commissioner nf Stamps for the payment of all stamp dnty and fines that shall ba payable, or mav become payable, over such meeting. Officials of clubs, also,, when applying for the use of the totalisator In the future will have to take tore to state in their aonlica’ion for a per£Bit whether all stamp duties, dfo., payable in wapeot of the totalisator at their previous race meeting have been paid or not. In levy ing the tax it is evident that the Government have taken no half measures, but have launched out boldly, and have further hedged round the totalisator with restrictions as tn its use. There will now be less chance than ever of <4 mushroom ” clubs being allowed to Use the machine, which is one reason why we Ought to be grateful for the imposition of the totalisator tax.