SOUTH ISLAND TROTTING ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9701, 13 April 1897, Page 6

SOUTH ISLAND TROTTING ASSOCIATION.

The-monthly meeting of the South Island Trotting Association was held last evening. Present—Messrs W. Rollut (President) in the chair, Marr (New Brighton T.C), H. S. Howell (Plumpion Park U. and T.C), A. S. Myers (Tahuna Park R. and T.C), J..Chadwick (Nelson T.C), L. Matson (Canterbury T.C), J. McNamara (Timaru T.C), P. Selig (Greyinouth T.C), F. Fuchs (Southland T.C), and D. McLean (Ashburton T.C).

The Chairman read a letter he-had forwarded to .the .North Island T.A. with referenco to the annnal conference of trotting delegates-andjreply thereto. The following programmes were passed : Hurunui Race 3, April 17th (one trotting event) ; Winulow Sports and Races, May 24th (two trotting events); Canterbury" T.C, May 20th and 24th; Martborough R.C., March 31st aud April Ist (two trotting events); North-Canterbury J.C., May 6th two trotting events) ; Ashburton R.C., May lotlv and 14th (two events).

Tho Secretary of the Waimate R.C. wrote, asking if the programme of the North Otago J.C. Meeting had been passed by the Association. The Chairman had replied in the negative. The Ch.ukmak explained that the Southland T.C. had amended their programme so as to comply with the roles. The Tahuna Park T. and R.C. submitted conditions of the Tahuna Cap Handicap of 20050v3.

An application from Miss Button for a drivers licenso was refuaed.

A letter was read with reference to the conduct of the Rα agitata sports and certain owners and horses taking part thereat. It was resolved — " That this Association, having received . information that the trotting events at* the recentTtangitate bridge sports meeting were carried out in an irregular manner,-decide to inform the Committee that proper conduct in connection with the of the trotting races must be observed in future, otherwise this Association will decline to pass future programmes." k A request from the Secretary of tie

Geraldine T.C. that the disqualification ot Charles Hammond be removed was unanimously refused. With reference to a letter re Dandy it was resolved that the Secretary communicate with the RangUata Sports Committee and request to be informed if they had disqualified that horse. The Greyniouth T.C. wrote recommending that a trainer's license be granted to James Humphries. A subsequent letter from the Club advised the Association that Humphries had been disqualified during pleasure for using abusive and obscene language to the Secretary, Mr R. C. Hungerford, aud withdrawing the recommendation re license.

After some discussion, during which it was shown that the Grey mouth Secretary had formerly written on behalf of the Club recommending that Humphries be not granted a license, the disqualilicution was endorsed, and it was unanimously resolved —" That this Association approve of the action of Mr Himgerford, Secretary of the Greymouth T.C., in regard to Humphries's application." The same Club wrote re the identity of a trotter called Schoolboy, stating that the Secretary liad been empowered to go to Nonnanby to make enquiries regarding the horse, and requesting that the Association vote a sum towards the expeusss incurred in making such enquiries. Resolved that the Secretary be requested to write and enquire the total amount of expenses in connection with the case, aud that the granting of assistance from the Association be then decided upon. The Akaroa County Racing Club wrote advising of tlie disqualification of T. O'Reilly and trotter Homeward for life, aud enclosing the evidence taken at the enquiry held by the Club. Resolved that the matter be held over to give Mr O'Reilly an opportunity of putting his appeal in proper order. The New Brighton Trotting Club wrote, advising of the disqualification during pleasure of Annie Itooney and owner, '!'.. Walker, in the Final Handicap at the Club's meeting on April Ist, and enclosing evidence taken at the enquiry. An appeal from Mr Walker against the disqualification was read. The appellant explained the running of his mare and stated that one of the Stewards, Mr A. G. Holmes, who had voted for the protest to be upheld, had invested the sum of £50 on the second horse, Nigger, the owner of which had entered the protest. A letter was read from Mr G. H. Wright, who stated that he hr>d two tickets in the totalisator on Annie Rooney in the Final Handicap, and that Mr T. Walker or any other person had no interest in the tickets ; that in the event of the Aasociation deciding against Mr Walker, he (Mr Wriglifc) would expect his dividend to be paid forthwith.

It? was unanimously decided that the Secretary be instructed to return Mr Wright his letter and inform him that the Association could not take into consideration his betting business. Mr G. B. Ritchie, solicitor, applied to state a ease for Mc Walker, and the applicai tion being granted, he went into the running of Annie Rooney to show there was no inconsistency. He also referred to Mr Walker supporting liis mare in the first race and not in the second. Mr Walker was called and gave evidence, • which he was prepared to swear to on oath, to show that he had backed his mare when she lost and not when she won; that there was no inconsistency. Mr Sullivan, driver of Kentucky Maud, said he bumped into Annie Rooney during the race for the Final Handicap, and the latter lost considerably by the bumpicg. After a lengthy discussion, in which A most of the delegates took part, it was unanimously resolved :—" That Mr Walker's appeal be sustained, and tlie totalisator dividend be paid out on Annie Rooney; and [ that this Association views with dissatis- ! faction the principle of betting by Stewards who sit in judgment on protests." The meeting then closed.

Acceptances are due to-night for the Lancaster Park Amateur Trotting Club's Au\umn Meeting. f ■,*■■■'

Mr S. H. Gollan's C. J.C. Autumn Handicap representative Tire arrived from Uawke's ffpy,'via Wellington, yesterday.