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EVENING THINGS UP IN AUSTRALIA. After deciding that bookmakers positions in the 2 paddock should be balloted for. it was almost too 3 much to expect the Australian Jockey Club committee - to straightway depart from that intention be-i-ause it was not to the liking of everybody, and, , therefore, it did not surprise anyone to read that t the petition of a number of bookmakers opposed to - the alteration was resultless. I fancy that some a members of the Australian Jockey Club committee g have arrived at the conclusion that many members s of the ring who bet In close proximity to each other r have become too much of a "happy- family." and 1 that such a statu of affairs Is not good for the is punter, big or little. It is only natural that .men i who have had choice positions for years should resent - the idea of a change, but if they have failed 1 to make good financial use of their advantage it is Iheir own fault. With each man paying the same j fee it is inequitable that some should have a lifelong !- monopoly of positions worth lriuidrcds of f IHiunds more than those held by others. If places s were auctioned the estimated difference in the c value of fome. as compared with others, would probably lie an eye-opener. It would be a case of the e man with the shop in, say. King street, having t pay a verv different rental to the one in Goulburh street. Of course, it does not follow that the men n now badlv placed in the Kandwlck paddock are sure of benefiting by the ballot, and even those wu. i. get choice wsitforis this year may lose them next, t. but they at least- have the satisfaction of knowing ;- thev will have a chance of occasionally getting f- into the busy part Of the ring without waiting many wars for deaths or retirements to give them i that" opixii l unity. As tor talk of "vested interests" " in conneclion with a bookmakers betting position in on a race course, well, that savors of huriior. Sydney Referee.
