HECTOR GRAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 163, 12 July 1929, Page 9

HECTOR GRAY.

LIFE BAN REMOVED.

" HIS LAST CHANCE." RACING CONFERENCE DEBATE. "A WONDERFUL HORSEMAN/' (Br Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, this day. The Xew Zealand Racing Conference this morning decided to remove, the life disqualification of Hector Gray, the wellknown New Zealand jockey. Gray was disqualified in May, 1925, for his conduct in a race at Riccarton, and this morning, in a letter to the conference, lie appealed for the ban to be lifted. Gray pointed out that at the time of his disqxialification he was earning a considerable amount of money, and said that since then he had lost all his property, and was only now earning bare living expenses. He was employed by Mr. W. C. Ring and had faithfully carried out the terms laid down by the conference since, his disqualification. He was unable to do hard work owing to his health, and Mr. Ring, having sold his stud, would have no employment for him.

Mr. Ring wrote stating that Gray had unswervingly carried Xit the instructions laid down sinoa 'he had been disqualified and had loyally abided by the conditions imposed. He appealed to the conference to give Gray a chance to make good. The chairman, Mr. O. S. Watkins, said that Gray might go into a foreign country. The conference had to consider what was a very grave position. Was it fair to "whitewash" Gray to-day and give him an opportunity to get a license outside New Zealand? He did not think that the ban should be uplifted merely to allow Gray" to go away. Reason for Disqualification. Mr. C. F. Vallance said Gray had ridden for him and won a good many races, and he was thoroughly satisfied with him. He had always done his best for him. It was only reasonable to give him a license, which could be cancelled at any time. Mr. W. H. Gaisford: I do not know the actual offence he committed. The chairman read from the minutes of the conference, showing that Gray was disqualified for a corrupt practice. Mr. W. T. Hazlett said that it was rather hard that members of the conference could not know why he was disqualified. The Chairman: We have all the evidence here if required.

Mr. Hazlett said he did not want it read, but he remarked that Gray was disqualified for offering a trainer £100 to scratch a horse.

Mr. Hazlett said that Gray was indeed suffering a very severe penalty. It was time the conference considered whether they should not temper justice with mercy. According to the letters read, Gray was making a good, sound honest attempt to "come back." They should not prevent a man from making good if he could do so. "Public Safeguarded." Mr. H. F. Doogan (Greymouth) moved that the disqualification be removed, as requested. He quoted from a report presented to the conference that morning, that the racing public of New Zealand was safeguarded to a degree not experienced in any other part of the world. With that statement he agreed. The conference would not run any great risk if it was afterwards discovered that Gray had not taken advantage of the chance given him. If he failed again, that would be his fault. He moved this motion with the idea of tempering justice with mercy, but it would be Gray's final opportunity. Mr. Gaisford seconded the motion. Mr. C. Louisson (Manawatu) said that there was a general feeling that. Gray's sentence should be terminated. No doubt he had received a very drastic sentence and he (Mr. Louisson) would like to see the matter reconsidered. Friction With Parliament. Mr. F. Nolan (Gisborne) said it was fair to say that Gray had played the game. When Gray's appeal was dismissed there was no doubt many members of the Racing Conference and some of the officials had grave doubts about what would happen. It was just about the time when there was a little friction between some members of Parliament and the conference. The papers connected with Gray's case were in the hands of a member of Parliament, who contemplated bringing the subject up in the House, but Gray got the papers back himself, and he was to be commended for that action. Gray since his disqualification had opportunities of earning money, as far as racing was concerned, in an illegitimate way. He did not choose to do so but went back to his farm and afterwards lost all his property. He subsequently went to work for Mr. Ring and had observed all the terms laid down by the conference since being employed there. He believed they should give him a- chance to

"come back." He thought Gray would be thoroughly trustworthy and would play the game by the conference. His greatest fault was vanity. He was recognised as a wonderful horseman, and he knew it. Mr. Nolan hoped the conference would give him an opportunity to come back and show he had learned his lesson. "Show Some Mercy." Mr. Ewau Campbell (Wanganui) said that they had known cases where men committed murder and were tried and sentenced, even to death, but later their sentences were commuted, Subsequently allowed to go gus

the country before the sentence was completed. He thought they should also show some mercy and give Gray a license, whether it was to ride in New Zealand or elsewhere. Mr. W. H. WackroW (Auckland) said he had always found Gray "all right." Mr. Ring would be the last to give a helping hand if Gray was undeserving of it. He hoped the conference would give Gray some consideration. Mr. W. H. Hazlett agreed with Mr. Campbell. Gray had clone everything required since he was disqualified, and if they did not do something for him it was going back to the days of the Inquisition. Xo law-breakers in the world were treated as Gray had been. He thought something should be done for him. The conference was taking no risk in putting him back, and it would be a. fine thing to do something for him. Mr. G. Yercoe also supported the proposal. The chairman said he thought that they should decide whether Gray should have a license or not. After further discussion the motion was carried. Sir. C. G. Dalgety (Canterbury) was the only one to vote against the motion.