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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 45

Author's Note

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Author's Note.

I Think it advisable to state that this Essay is no Bookmaker's attempt to crush the Totalisator. I have endeavoured to make it a fair and, I hope, clear statement of a very great danger that threatens, unless promptly checked, to bring the New Zealand Turf to utter destruction.

I attribute no injurious intentions whatever to those who have been concerned in the introduction of the instrument; while the fairness with which it has been worked is quite beyond doubt. But the inevitably disastrous results that must succeed its continued use seem to have been overlooked by the Dunedin Jockey Club. The only point raised was as to the legality of the machine, and, that difficulty overcome, it was admitted into the Stand without further difficulty. To the Public the new betting automaton commended itself highly as affording unusually long odds. The Club viewed with satisfaction the prospect of a share of the profits, while the murmurs of the Ring were set down to a natural ebullition of spleen.

I can only hope that the appearance of this little Essay may lead to a thorough discussion of the whole question; nor have I any doubt that the force of my objections to the Totalisator will then be more fully appreciated.

The Author.