A JOCKEY CLUB IN COURT.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3512, 10 October 1882, Page 4

A JOCKEY CLUB IN COURT.

At the Patea Court on Tuesday, 26th tilt., before Mr Wray, R. Vf., an action was brought by Mr J. D. Powdrcll against the Stewards of the Patea Jockey Club (which has ceased to exist) for prize money won in three races at the Spring meeting of 1870. — Mr Barton, for the plaintiff, said the present claim had been standing over for a long time, and the only way to compel the stewards to meet their obligntions was to get a judgment. They seemed to have differences among themselves as to certain bets, and as to the proportion which certain stewards should pay to make up the balance required to meet all claims. It was a matter for comment that an institution which is in the nature of a gentlemen's club, and which should pay its debts as they accrue, has not done so for nearly three year?. There was no way of compelling them except by getting a judgment. The plaintiff claimed £40 for ■winning the flying handicap, £40 for the two-mile race, £80 for the Patea district handicap, and £1 Is legal costs ; total, £161 Is. He had promised to the club a bonus of £20, and the amount to be deducted from his claim was £99, leaving a balanco of £62 Is.—Mr W. Cowern, hon. secretary to the club, produced the minute book. He said the stewards for 1879 were Messrs. C. Durie, Morecroft, C. Symes, A. Gower, and Dr Croft. There is nothing disputed in the items claimed. The sum paid to Mr Powdrell is £75. The club arc willing to pay these unadjusted claims, but there aie differences to settle between certain stewards. Three of them nre willing to pay their proportionate liability to cover all debts owing by the club, namely Messrs A. Gower, Chapman, and M'Bae £16 19s 6d each. There was also a guarantee of £30 by three members, and they have not paid. If these sums were paid, they would be sufficient to meet the claims of Mr Powdrell and Mr C. Durie. There are some subscriptions outstanding, but we have struck them off as bad debts. —Magistrate : As to any bete between the parties, we cannot take them into account at all, —Mr Barton : If we get judgment for our claim, we can ■work these members by threatening them •with execution.—Mr A. Gower : I am quite prepared to pay my share towards Mr Powdrell's claim. Magistrate : Judgment for plainlifE for the amount claimed and costs, £5 15s.—Patea Exchange.