THE FATAL ACCIDENT AT ELLERSLIE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9335, 19 October 1893, Page 6

THE FATAL ACCIDENT AT ELLERSLIE.

RACING CLUB ENQUIRY. A meeting of the committee of the Auckland Racing Club was held at the club's rooms in Durham-street yosterday afternoon, for the purpose of holding an enquiry into the circumstances connected with the death of Arthur Buckley, who was killed on the Ellerslie course on Saturday last. Mr. T. Morrin presided. Adam Enoch Byers stated that he was trainer of the horse Crazy Kate. On Saturday, the 14th, he w.\s on the Ellerslie course. Arthur Buckley was riding that morning. They went down for a little schooling. They wont over the course, starting ab the bottom, and the first jump was the sod wall. They went over the course to the stonewall. In answer to Mr. Whitaker, witness said that one of the officers of the club, Mr. Gordon, gave them permission. He opened the gates tor witness. He did not think it was nacessary to obtain any other leave. He saw Mr. i'ercival in the distance, but did nob ask him. The only permission he gob was from Gordon. He was a licensed trainer, and he was not aware that ' there was anything to prevent him fro going over the steeplechase course. He had ridden over the course previously, and had never asked for leave. He knew ib was necessary bo obtain leave bo go over the course proper. He had often seen strangers come on the course and go over the jumps. He thought the deceased must have seen the fence before he came to ib. , The posts* of the fence were about six feeb apart. In answer to Mr. Perceval, as to his instructions he gave the deceased, he said: " Arthur, you can take the mare steadily ; give her her head ab bhe jumps." He did nob say to the deceased, "Take her easy up to the jumps, as there may be some obstacles in tho way." He did nob know the fence was there. .'.. ■ , . [Z '/■:•[

John Ruddy, caretaker of the course, stated that the first he saw of the accident was when the horse and rider were blithe ground. He did nob know thab the horses were going round the steeplechase course.' Nobody asked fo leave bo go round thab day. The new fence was supported by 3 by 6 new kauri posts. Mr. Whibaker : Is ib not necessary before going over the course bo obtain leave ? Mr. Ruddy : Yes. Mr. Whitaker: Byers says he has been over bhab course previously wibhoub leave. Witness then said that on the Wednesday previously he gave several gentlemen permission to go over the course. The wire fence was pub up last Saturday week. On the Wednesday, when ho gave permission to the gentlemen to go over the course, the fence was not there ; it had been shifted, Ib was distinctly understood thab nobody should go over the steeplechase course without permission. In answer to Mr. Morrin, witness stated he had never seen any stranger come on the course to go over the jump. Robert Jackson, employee of the A.R.C., said that he was working about 75 yards from where the marejfoll. He could not say whether the man called out to the mare. Tho ridor of Crazy Kate must have seen bhe stakes. To go over the course people must have an order from Mr. Percival. It was an understood thing that orders had to be obtained.

William Gordon stated thab he mob Byers on the morning that the accident occurred. Witness was riding a horse called Jim. Byers asked him to go over and open the gate for him. Witness went up to the gate among the trees and opened it. He said he was going over the steeplechase course. He did nob give him permission bo go over the course. Witness was employed on the course. . He was nob working that day, as he generally took a holiday on the Saturday. He ineb Mr. Percival. He did nob remember telling anyone bhab Byers was going round the course. William Percival stated that ho was on the Ellerslie Course on the day of the accident. He heard the deceased speak bo the mare, encouraging her to the jump. He thought, also, that the deceased struck the mare. Witness met Gordon, who told him that Byers was going round the course. Witness thought Ruddy had given him permission. Ib was the rule to apply for permission to go over the course. He never remembered giving Byers permission on any occasion. He had often granted permits to go over the course. The Chairman said he did not see bhat the club could be blamed in bhe matter at all. If anyone was bo blame ib was Byers. After a short discussion in private, the committee decided to adjourn until Friday next, in order to hear further evidence as to the usual practice observed in relation bo the use of the course.