ROYAL SURVEY CASE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 307, 11 December 1931, Page 14

ROYAL SURVEY CASE

STATEMENT BY L. WATSON. NOT NOTIFIED OF INQUIRY. The jockey L. H. Watson has issued a writ for £lOOO for damages against the New Zealand racing authorities. The legal act follows his disqualification for life, and comes from Western Australia, whither he claims to have travelled before hearing that there was any charge against him (says the Sydney “Referee.”) Watson has ridden a good deal in Sydney, over jumps and on the flat, but for some time prior to the action of the New Zealand atuhorities r he had been riding in the Dominion. He states that while passing through Fremantle on his way to Colombo a few weeks ago, he read by accident in a newspaper that he had been disqualified for life in New Zealand for alleged participation In a racing conspiracy. He arrived at Fremantle aboard the steamer Cathay, and disembarked to consult legal o])niou ashore. Watson further says that when he left New Zealand a little over six months ago he was given a clearance to Melbourne and another to Perth. He says he was not notified of any inquiry being held, nor given a chance to appear and defend himself. He adds bitterly: “In common fairness, if nothing else, I should have had the opportunity to answer whatever charge was made, and to hear what was alleged against me before I was sentenced.” Watson has already commenced proceedings to endeavour to have the disqualification annulled.