PENALTY ENDORSED

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 120, 13 February 1924, Page 4

PENALTY ENDORSED

A MANAWATU TROTTING SUSPENSION

UPHELD BY NEW ZEALAND BOARD

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, February 12.

The disqualification recently imposed by the Alanawatu Trotting Club on A. J. Corrigan, driver of Oakhamptou, for alleged interference with Lady Zoe, was discussed at to-day’s meeting of the Board of the New Zealand Trotting Association. The president (Air. P. Selig) said that he did not intend to bring the case up, but Air. J. R. Corrigan, AI.P. (owner of Oakhamptou) had sent him a personal letter and had also put in an appeal. Air. Corrigan was at present in Christchurch, and had put in a request that he might interview the board. He had informed Mr. Corrigan that his best plan was to address a letter to ,the board and the matter could be decided early in the meeting. The president said that he proposed to read the letters received from Air. Corrigan, and also the communications regarding the matter from the Alanawatu Trotting Club. Air. Corrigan jmd made a statement to the speaker the previous day that since his arrival in this city, lie (Air. Corrigan) had been accused of backing .Eulius for £3OO, when Eulius won at Gisborne recently. Air. Corrigan had stated that he did not back Eulius on that occasion, and he thought the matter should be cleared up by the association. The other matter he referred to was that some doubts had been cast on the bona tides of King Lear, a horse he had given away. He had also asked that this matter be cleared up. Air. Selig added that ho. had told Air. Corrigan that the association was not dealing with matters of this kind, and that a lot of people would have to answer questions later, on. The president expressed the opinion that the Alanawatu Club’s decision was made on a question of fact and he had no doubt that there was no appeal. Air. AV. H. Denton: But we are not dealing with Air. Corrigan, sen.; it is his son who was suspended. The president: Air. Corrigan, sen., has some standing in the matter, though. The report of the inquiry, held by the Alanawatu. Trotting Club on January 17 regarding the driving of Oakliampton by A. J. Corrigan, was read. The decision-was: “That A. J. Corrigan be suspended for twelve months.” Both A. J. Corrigan and J. R. Corrigan (owner of Oakhampton) had lodged notices of appeals, and the report of evidence at the inquiry was read. The committee considered that there was no right of appeal in the case. According to evidence on which the decision was made the driver of Oakhampton interfered with Lady Zoe, who was driven by H. J. AVoodfield, during the race. The committee unanimously disqualified Oakhampton from the race and suspended A. J. Corrigan for twelve months.

Tho president then read the letter he had received from Air. J. R. Corrigan asking to be heard by the board. Air. Selig again expressed the opinion that there was no appeal. Air. Denton: Is that wise? We’re wasting time now. The president: I hardly think so. Air. Corrigan says tho procedure at the inquiry was wrong and we have to be satisfied that the procedure was right. Personally I think that the rules of tlie club were complied with. Air. Corrigan, sen., however, says that he was not given a chance of being heard, but his son could have called him if he wished to do so.

Mr. R. A. Armstrong: Air. Corrigan, sen., was there all the time walking around. He came to the door while the inevry wag being held and spoke to A. G. Mabee, the stipendiary steward. Air. R. W. Short moved: “That the action of the Alanawatu Trotting Club in suspending A. J. Corrigan for twelve months be endorsed, and that J. R. Corrigan be not heard by the board.” The moGon was carried unanimously.

AVith reference to the other matters mentioned by Air. J. R. Corrigan, the board decided that it could not do anything on Air. Corrigan’s behalf at present. '

Later in the meeting, the president said that a letter had been received from Air. C. F. Giesen, secretary of the North Island Trotting Owners and Breeders’ Association, which was the kind of letter "that should not have been addressed to the board. It was tantamount to trying to influence a jury on behalf of an accused person. The letter having been read, the following resolution was carried: “That this board emphatically condemns the action of the North Island Trotting Owners and Breeders’ Association in attempting to influence the board’s decision in regard to the action taken by the Alanawatu Trotting Club in the Oakhampton case, and warns the North Island Trotting Owners and Breeders’ Association that any repetition of this unwarranted attempt to interfere with the course of jusice will be made tho subject of vigorous action by the board.”