THE DORA DERBY CASE

Evening Star, Issue 18256, 21 April 1923, Page 3

THE DORA DERBY CASE

CO3JOLUSIOH OS’ EVIDENCE* ACCUSED COMMITTED FOB TRIAL, Tho hearing of the charges of conspiracy and false pretences against Archibald Campbell Sim and James Proctor Nicholson were continued in tho Police Court yesterday afternoon before Mr Bundle, S.M. After tho luncheon adjournment Mr White (for Sim) briefly cross-examined the witness Clack, who said in answer ro counsel’s question that tho man Hall, who witnessed the receipts, was not on the racecourse that day. _ Witness met him at the City Hotel in the evening. John Bellamy Norris, secretary of tho Now Zealand Trotting Association, Christchurch, was the next > witness. Ho . said ho received an application on November 1, 1921, for tho registration of tho trottingj mare Traylace, Tho application was m order, and the mare duly registered. An inquiry was hold concerning the mare on January 10 at Christchurch, where a statement was made and signed by Nicholson. In conversation with Sim tho latter told witness that the mare had been placed w here no human hands could touch it. lie also sratod that a person in Gore had told Nicholson that Sim had stated iio (Sim) could find the mare at any time. Nicholson had also stated that ho had copied a letter submitted to him by Sim to tho effect that the horse had broken its leg. This letter ho had signed and sent to Black. Nicholson admitted lie bad made a mistake in doing this. He said further that after the Sims brothers had given up Ida farm Archie Sim had remained to work for him. It wa.s about this time that Sim told him be was going to ring in ” tho mare, Sim had split the mare’s ear and had the tail docked by Avis, a vet., and had been trucked by Grant, of the Southern stables, Dunedin, to Brydono. Nicholson put £2 on Traylace at Tapatnii, including 10,s for others, with a person ho thought was a bookmaker in Gore. Nicholson was summoned to attend tho inquiry. Sira was also summoned to appear, but he did not turn up.

Augustus Maynard, secretary Tapanui Racing Club, in his evidence, stated that ho received a telegram ana subsequently a loiter confirming the nomination of tho mare from Sim. The mare was placed on tho limit in the Dominion Trot as a result. The value of the trot was £7O, and Traylace won. A cheque for £54 was forwarded to A. C. Sim. The mare was scratched for the second trot. The owner of the mare was put down as riding the mare; that wa.s Sira.

To Mr White: Had known Sira for five or six years, and always found him a “ straight ” man. Thomas Melville Sim, brother to accused, said he was at his brother’s farm a few clays before tho Forbury Park trotting meeting, May, 1921 1 and he saw a rnaro in tho stable. Nicholson was present on the occasion. Witness asked, “Whoso mongrel is this?” and tho reply was that it was supposed to bo Archie’s, but ho knew who was footing tho bill. Afterwards witness knew the mare had competed at various meetings, running under the name of Traylace. Witness, in conversation after the inquiry, stated that Nicholson said that the nemo of the maro was Dorn Derby. Witness w\* later asked by his brother to sell the maro at £ls. Ho said she had broken down, and would not stand up to another preparation. The maro was sore in her front legs. Witness sold the mare to a drover for £ls. He did not know tho name of the drover, who was driving sheep on the road, and handed over the £ls, and witness gave him tho maro and tho halter.

Alfred Jones, Winton, handicapper to the Tapanni Club, said if Doia Derby had to bo handicapped for the Dominion Handicap ho would have handicapped her at 3.3 s—that was Jiftccn seconds behind Traylace. That would be 180yds. Traylaco had_ been handicapped us a maiden. Witness saw Traylace win at Tapanni by several lengths. Could nob say that it was under xirossuro. She did not look as if flio had the race won until the finish. Detective Doer said that on January 22 ho interviewed Sim at Tarawa regard in;; the running of Traylaco at Tapanni in February, 1922. Ho mado a stalomcnt, a summary of which was that ho and Nicholson had seen Dora Derby running, ami decided to buy her. Nicholson knew Black, and it was agreed that an introduction should take place. The mare was bought foil £2lO, Nicholson financing the transaction. The mare was taken to Ilia brother’s farm. Sho hdd been described as a maiden, and was nominated ns Traylace. At Tapanni sho had won. lie redo her himself. Rumors became strong as to the identity of the mare, and it was decided to get rid of her, and that was done. Witness also rend a statement mado by Nicholson as in Iho part ho had taken in the trammelion. He was not Loo boon, but ho consented to go to the Forburv in connection with the purchase of the mam. Ho did not want to lake any part in Iho underhand work Sim was engaged in, and simply come, in as a lender of the money to Fim at 7 per eent. He never conspired with Sim, and had not received any of the :C 100 or of the stake won. _ Hr Rarniorman contended lhat tnere was nothing to connect Nicholson with the charge of falso pretences, and urged that this charge should ho dismissed as against Nicholson, Hr Bundle said ho was not going to criticise iho matter in detail. The fact was that the mare had been nominated in the name of ono accused for a number of races. There was a prima fucio case mado out. Accused reserved their defence, and woie committed for trial, boil being allowd each in £IOO and two sureties of £IOO, or one of £2OO.