THE DORA DERBY CASE

Evening Star, Issue 18255, 20 April 1923, Page 8

THE DORA DERBY CASE

TWO MEN CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY. In tho Police Court this morning a case of interest to followers of trotting was begun, Archibald Campbell Sim and James Proctor Nicholson being jointly charged that at Brydone on February 1, 1922, they conspired with each other to defraud the Tapanui Racing Club by entering a trotting inaro named Dora Derby in the Dominion Handicap under a false name of Traylace. The two men were further charged that on February 16 they obtained from the same club £54 by means of false pretences—to wit, representing Dora Derby to bo Traylace. Mr G. J. L. White appeared for Sim and Mr Baimcrman (Gore; for Nicholson. Joseph Black, secretary of the Gloucester Club, Christchurch, and also interested in trotting, stated that prior to May, 1921, he was owner of a trotting mare named Dora Derby; the breeding was Lord Derby out of Dora. He nominated the mare for two one-mile races at Forbury on May 5 and 7, 1921, the last race ou each day. Just before the race on the last day he was approached by tho, accused Nicholson, whom he had previously met in Christchurch. Nicholson asked if Dora Derby was for sale. Witness said “ ics, at a price.” _ . Continuing, witness said ho told Nicholson he could not buy the horse before the race. They met at the corner of tho stand later, and he interoduecd another man to witness as “Mr Davis.” _ Witness now recognised the accused Sim as tho Mr Davis. Sim asked what ho wanted for Dora Derby, and witness replied £2OO cash. Sirn said he hadn’t the £2OO cash, but would give £IOO down, £IOO out of the first win, and £4O out of the second win. Ho could not remember whether Nicholson was present during this conversation, but he thought he had walked away before. Dora Derby had not won the last race. Sim said he didn t think it would bo long before witness would get the money, because he was going_ to nominate the horse for Plumpton. Witness accepted the offer, and they met at. the City Hotel in the evening, where the deposit was paid by a cheque signed by J. P. Nicholson. Nicholson was not present, but a man named Paul was there. The receipt was signed by Sim as Davis. He said be lived at Beaumont. W itness afterwards ascertained the horse had _not been nominated for Plumpton or I orbury. After this be wrote to ‘‘ E. Davis, Beaumont.” sending registration papers, but the loiter came back through the dead letter office. He also communicated with J. P. Nicholson, Brydone, asking for information about the mare and why she had not been nominated. He got a reply saying that the mare had broken her log, and had to be destroyed, and that Davis had gone to Australia. Witness had never received the balance of £l4O due to him. He was present, at the inquiry in Christchurch on January 10 last, and had a discussion with Nicholson about Dora Derby, who said lie did not think Dora Derby was dead, and asked witness whether in this case ho would lake her back. Witness replied that she would be no good to him, as she had been disqualified. Regarding the letter, Nicholson said that Sim had got him half drunk and dictated the letter to him. Before being sold, Dora Derby bad been handicapped on a 2.18 basis. She was an aged bay mare when sold to Sim.

At this stage tho court adojumed till the afternoon.