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TURF AFFAIRS IN NEW ZEALAND In a recent issue of the Christchurcli Weekly Press the past years racing in New Xealand is commented on and everything is regarded as satisfactory The writer says saysThe The latter half of the 11 1 season was quite as good us the lirst half and though there were many misgivings about the current racing season when thu war broke out early in August these happily have all been dispelled As a matter of fact the racing that has taken place has quite justified the opinion that there was nothing so far that warranted the New Xealand Turf authorities advising racing chilis to discontinue their program in any one particular Here and there stakes have been reduced and In some cases clubs have decided to suspend operations concerning improvements to their buildings and race ¬ courses until the danger of any possible financial stringency has been removed The passing of Mr George Hunters Gaming Act Amendment Bill whereby some thirtyone additional totnllsntor permits will be available for racing iubs trotting clubs and hunt clitlis is one of the chief features of the season There are large numbers of applications for the new permits and the commission appointed to inspect the courses of the clubs applying for permits Mr Hunter M P and Mr T II Davey lias no sinecure in re conimeiiding those clubs which it considers art en ¬ titled to the use of the totalisator Though stakes have remained stationary in the case many clubs In consequence of the war the totalisator invest ¬ ments at most race meetings held in August and subsequently have shown au increase in some cases a considerable increase We may therefore confi ¬ dently expect that as seou as there is relief from any anxiety abmt the war our racing clubs will bring their programs up to the standard commensur ¬ ate with their prosperity The class of our race horses Is well maintained and undoubtedly the year lings sold and to be sold this year arc somewhat above the average averageThe The Sydney Keforee says that at the summer meet ¬ ings just held in New Zealand totalisator speculation was heavy and more particularly was this the case at the Auckland Racing Club meeting where on the third day the 2sr put through the machine con ¬ stituted a record for one day in the Dominion Each day showed an Increase as compared with the corres ¬ ponding day last season the total advance being M5020 Tin Auckland Racing Club figures for the past tluee seasons are as follows follows1012K 1012K liH 1014ln 1014lnFirst First day 2720 isG5 7o 7oSecond Second day 1I4I1 22501 255i70 255i70Third Third day 25 i5 IISSMIO 2S5 2S5Fourth Fourth day 1IS7iiO 2G5OiiO 00t75 Totals 017r0 1120070 11 11Not Not only the Auckland Baeing Club but other clubs showed a marked increase and it is cabled that the totalisator turnover at the Christmas nnd New Year meetings was 94241210 or 71 40 more than at Hi previous seasons summer fixtures For several me tings after th outbreak of the war there was a fa ling otV in otalisator speculation but New Xeal niters are evi Icntly of the opinion that they over stimated the necessity for retrenchment In their xpenditim 01 luxuries and are again launching ut on the rac course The government share of the totalisator investments mentioned 13 over 105000
