THE SUEZ MAIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 186, 7 August 1889, Page 3

THE SUEZ MAIL.

TOPICS OF THE DAY-

(FROM QUE SPECIAL _ORr.ESPO_.DE>.T.)

Loxdon, June 21. THE CHETWYND - DURHAM ARBITRATION. — SENSATIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

The opening days of the Chetwynd-Dur-ham arbitration case were deadly dull, the matter gone over being long familiar to the public. Sir George Cnetwynd made a model witness, and pulled through- a tougbish cross-examination with regard to the eccentric running of his horses with credit. I confess I could see no point in Sir Charles Russell's endss queries anent Sir Geor.ro ChetwyncTs betting books. Of course, they were found to be all right. Assuming Sir George to have been running horses "on the cross," he would, assuredly not enter talctelling wagers in his ordinary betting books; Either such bets are not written down at all by either layer or taker, or a special volume (not intended for production in case of a row) is kept for their registration.

The really serious portion of the inquiry did not commence tiil Sherrard,the trainer, and Wood, the jockey, were examined. Sherrard is a middle-sized, massive man, with coal-black hair and mutton-chop whiskers, an obstinate chin, and a sombre, business-like manner. He came into the witness-box brim full of confidence, and evidently under the impression that he would be able to confound any number of curious counsel. Mv Charles Matthews, however, had not begun to cross-examine him long before he floundered horribly. One contention of Lord Durham's side is that the in - and - out running horses, nominally the property of Sir George Chctwynd and Sherrard, were, in reality, Wood's own. Sir George Chetwynd had to admit that two colts which he bought from Wood, when the rule forbidding jockeys to keep horses in training was passed, were not paid for for two years, in tact until the pi-esent proceedings were initiated. Moreover, the solo proof of payment was a receipt for the money due, in Mrs Wood's handwriting. Sir Charles Russell implied that this receipt was dictated by Sir Geonje himself, and that no money had really passed. Sherrard made a sad exhibition of himself. Persisting obstinately that Wood never owned "a hair in the tail" of the horses which ran in his (Sherrard's) colours, he yet could produce no proofs that he ever paid for any of them.- On the other hand Sherrard's bankbook showed that after he had purchased a horse called Cliftonian for liimsefj (so he sworo) Wood had made him a payment of £300, which was, curiously enough, tho exact price of that animal. Evei"in the face of this coincidence, Sherrard stuck to ib Cliftonian was his own, nor when finally faced wibh a counterfoil from his cheque-book, on which was written "Paid Saundevson £300 for Cliftonian on account C. W.," would he say more than that it was odd.

Several bogus receipts and amounts current between Sherrard and \Vood_ were put in, but as they bore internal evidence of having been manufactured since 188S for tho edification of the Court, the effecb produced was disastrous. Lord Marcus Beresfoid gave damning evidence against Wood. He said he was starter at the York races in 1886, and remembered the Lonsdale Plate race. Wood did not start properly, and pulled his horse behind the others. Wood was riding Monsieur do Paris. In the Harewood Plate lie saw Wood was trying to win. ■ How do you know that?—VVhenWood tried to win, he was jealous about inches, and would get the best places, but when be was not trying he would be careless aboub lengths. (Laughter.) Continuing, witness said that at the Kempton Meeting, in the Jubliee Stakes, Wood never tried to get off, and pulled his horse the whole way. Fullerton was fifty yards behind after the horses had gone a hundred yards. In March, 1888, ■witnessspoke to Sir George Chetwynd about the matter. • What did Sir George say ?—He said, "He did ride a stinking race." (Laughter.) It was then Sir George told me that his instructions *to Wood were to "get off." At Sandown in ISB7 Wood also pulled his horse. In the Doncaster Cup in JBB7, Torchlight was ridden by Wood, who did nob try to get off. In the Newmarket race Wood "jumped" away, and there was a very marked difference. Mr Matthews—What was Wood's general reputation ? Sir H. James objected to the question, but it waa ultimately allowed. Witness said Wood's _ reputation was oi the very worst possible kind as a jockey. jlovv ?—For pulling horses. What effect did Lord Durham's speech have upon the turf? Mr liowther said he did not think Lord Marcus's opinion on thab would be of any great value to them, as he came there simply in the position of starter. Mr Matthews — Have improvements taken place since 1887?— Since Wood's license has been taken away I never saw such a marked improvement in my life. Every jockey tries. Cross-examined by Sir H. James—W itnsss had no ill-feeling against Sir George Chetwynd, Lord Lurgan, Mr Benzon, or the other persons who had been mentioned in the case. OWNERS MUST LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES. When you saw Wood on Acme apparently nob'riding to win, did you communicate with Lord Lurgan ?—No.. I never do unless lam asked. He can look after himself. He knows as much as 1 do. You knew Wood was riding dishonestly ? —I don't say that, because it did not come before me. I saw he did not ride as he did when be won. Do you suggest that Lord Lurgan knew his horse was not being ridden to win ? — No. But I should not have been eatisfied if my horse had been ridden in that way. Wha£ do you mean then by saying Lord Lurgan knew as much as you did ? Mr Lowther suggested that the witness meant that in a general way. Witness said he meant that Lord Lurgan's knowledge of things in general was as great as his own. Sir Henry James : Did you communicate with the stawards ?—No. It was not my business. Or with Sir George Chetwynd ? — He never asked me, and I never said anything to him. I never go between owner and jockey. I would as soon go between husband and wife. (Loud laughter). Did you communicate with Mr Hungerford ?—Yes, at York, because he asked me. You never heard Wood make complaints' against you?—No; ho would not have made them a second time. I proved him to bo. a liar before the stewards with regard to the position of his horse. •Men of the highest position On the turf employed Wood ?—Yes. If they believed, those rumours they would not have employed lilra ?—That is hot the point. They would employ a jockey so long as lie had a license. He is not struck .oil the rolls. (Laughter.) If bliev )believed the rumours ?—The union; _ had never been 'proved.

A a-VNI.ID CONFESSION,

If they believed the rumours? — I know ivlmt you aro .alter. (laughter.) 1 heard rumouis before I becams starter; bub I

never knew what a scoundrel he was until I became starter.

If an owner believes in rumours about a jockey would ho employ him ?—Yes. They aro simply rumours. Lord Arthur Somerset swore to seeing Wood pull Fullerton in the Newmarket Autumn Handicap, and the Duchess of Montrose declared MrCrawfurd had parted with Sherrard because he proposed running their horses in a manner calculated to deceive the public. The Duchess also deposed to discovering Sherrard colleaguing under suspicious circumstances with a man she afterwards found out was Plunger Walton. Walton had won large sums through information supplied him about their horses, either- by Sherrard, Wood, or Sir George Chetwynd. Finally, she was so annoyed about thfs that she insisted on Sir George removing his horses from the stable, and dismissed Sherrard. The.case stands adjourned to Saturday.