A SPORTING QUESTION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 938, 21 February 1890, Page 19

A SPORTING QUESTION.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND MAIL.

Sir, — It is reported that the protest, lodged against the horse Wanderer, who won the Trial Stakes at the late meeting of the Wellington Racing Club, has been withdrawn, and that the question of that horse’s right to compete for the race will be passed over as a matter of no importance and one not necessary to be inquired into. If this version of matters is correct, surely the Stewards of the Club will be greatly to blame for allowing it. The question was one very freely canvassed and discussed during the race week, and the qualification having been openly challenged, the Stewards would be , fully warranted in holding an independent inquiry. This inquiry, I hope, may yet be held, and the question, which is an important one, probed to the bottom. If no one else,, the public who freely support the club by making investments m the totalisator are entitled to this much consideration. In another colony where no totalisator is in use, great vigilance ia observed, whenever imputations of fraud or malpractice are hinted at. Laxity or indifference on the part of stewards when cases crop up of a nature demanding the looking into, must inevitably operate as an invitation, so to speak, for people to come and scoop the totalisator pool, and plunder the honest public whenever they may feel so disposed.—l am, &c., Victoria.