THE SCRATCHING OF NATATOR. DECISION OF THE DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB. [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 87, 14 April 1881, Page 2

THE SCRATCHING OF NATATOR. DECISION OF THE DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB. [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Dunedin, 13th April. An adjourned meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club was held to-night, to consider matters with reterence to the scratching of Natator for the Forbury Handicap. The correspondence already telegraphed wa3 read; and, in answer to a question, it was explained by the secretary that the scratching took place at 10 minutes past 11 o'clock on the morning of the race. A discussion took place, and Mr. Gourlay said that since the last meeting he had learned something more about the matter, having heard Mr. Lance talking to a jockey. If Mr. Lance had been inclined to act fairly he should have scratched the horse thatn^ght, failing in this an injustice was done to the public. He thought that horse and owner should be disqualified. Mr. Stronach wa3 not in favor of going so far, but thought Mr. Lance should have scratched the horse earlier than he did Mr. Hallett thought evidence was wanted that Mr. Lance was a gainer by the scratching of the horse. Mr. Douse said there was not a member present who considered it an honest action, but it would be going too far to disqualify Mr. Lance. After further diaenssion, a motion by Mr Gourlay, that the horse Natator and Mr. Lance be disqualified, was lost, and the following motion carried— '• Having received a letter from the Hon W. Robinson, together with the explanation of Mr. P. Lance, with regard to the scratching of Natator for the Forbury Handicap, on the 26th February, the committee considers the same highly unsatisfactory, and expresses strong disapproval of the course pursued in allowing the horse to remain in the betting nearly four hours after he had left Dunedin, and lor a long time after Mr Lance had decided to send the horse away."

Why are fishermen and shepherds like beggars ? Because they live by hook and by crook.