SPORTING

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 139, 19 November 1887, Page 3

SPORTING

THE LOCITIEL PROTEST. In referring to the Loehiel protest the snorting writer of the Evcn-ng Post says : It will bo seen by a telegram from Christchurch, published in another column, that the stewards of tho Canterbury Jockey Club have decided to di.-nrss the protest entered against, Loehiel, the winner of the Now Zealand Cup, and have paid over the stakes to Mr G. G. Stead. The dispute may, therefore, bo regarded as ended fur tho present, and the set.t.l'ug over the race, which has been delayed wi’l now proceed. Wo are not yet informed whether Mr D. O’Brien intends still to persist in bis action against the Club, but in the absence of any statu -i-mt to the contrary it may be assumed that the sr-t will lie continued. The Canterbury Jockey Club lias not gamed any credit by its action in tl-'s matter. In the first place, it is most extraordinary that, the question upon which the protest was based shou’d have been raised at all. That the starter of such a club should make a mistake about the starring post of their principal race of the year seems so i-nproahlc that, nt the first blush, tho allegation would seem to cairy its own refutation, hut unfortunately there is a general concensus of opinion that the mistake did take place. In the next place, what does the Canterbury Club mean bv it ■ peculiar action in d'smissing Mr O’Brien’s protest and at the same tune doclin’ng to pay over the stakes to the winner? If ihore was not.h-ng -n tho protest they should have pahl. over the stakes and borne the responsibility of it, not\\ ithstand ng a dozen notices to the contrary. But their eccentric conduct does not end here. Tho stewards met again last night, and, accord ng.to the telegrim received, again over-rr cd the protest, and this time ordered the stakes to be paid over. Some explanation of this verv peculiar proccdu’-e is afforded by a statement made to us on very good authority, that when the protest was first received, on Thursday aft rnoou last, it was considered by only two stewards, who, ,- u the face of strong ev .donee n support of it, at once dismissed it. Whether the matter is taken 'uto the l»w courts or not, the whole c vciinistances are calculated to reflect, considerable d-scredit upon tho club, and to intensify the disagreeable savour which, ever since the publication of the weight, has attached to the New Zealand Cup of 1887.