ENGLISH RACING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1205, 5 April 1895, Page 22

ENGLISH RACING.

THE JOCKEY CLUB PROSECUTION.

From Our Special Correspondent. London, February 23

The Newmarket magistrates have dismissed the charge of permitting gambling in their enclosures brought against the stewards of the Jockey Club by the Anti-Gambling League last week. It was known from the first that the matter must (sooner or later) end thus, as the Betting Act of 1.853 relied on by the League was notoriously directed . against the “ list *' houses of the period, and ] not against Tattersall's Club or racing enclosures. The only question was whether it had been so badly drawn that skilful counsel could drag persons for whom it was not intended within its meshes. On this point the Newmarket Solons had the advantage of rulings by the late Lord Chief Justice Cookburn and £&e present Judge Hawkins, both of whom had declared <! betting on the nod legal. The latter not long ago stated pointblank that it would require a new Act of Parliament to touch Tattersall’s, and he evi» desatly rejoiced that this was so. Byt for the importance of the issues involved .the trial at Newmarket would have degenerated into a screaming farce.. Whoever the backers of the Anti-Gambling League maybe they are not fond of exposing .their identities publicly, and the secretary ,(Mr Hawke) had consequently to appear unsupported save bv ins painfully disreputable witnesses. He is a dismal and bilious looking attorney without a shred of dignity, and when counsel referred to him as a patriot resolved on the extinction of “ our national vice,” and to the illustrious Earls of March and Ellesmere (stewards of J.C.) as presumably “ wicked encouragers ” thereof, the public in Court shouted with laughter. Naturally no respectable bookmaker could be got to give evidence against the Jockey Club authorities. Certain local worthies were, however, subpoenaed and obliged to admit they had seen something which might conceivably; hate been betting going on in the enclosures. Mr Poland, counsel for the

League, pressing one of these gentlemen, was neatly scored off. Witness bad, he said, attended the races for 35 yeai’3 but seldom betted himself. Had seen persons with books and pencils in the enclosures. No doubt some of them made bets. Had also heard such persons shout, “ I’ll back the field. Five to four the field,” but shouldn’t like to swear they made bets. “ Come, sir, you mustn’t fool the Court,”, cried Poland. “You know very well the shouting is a proof that betting goes on.”

“ I don’t,” said the witness. *'• You don’t ?" echoed Poland. “ No, those who shout loudest in the ring have least to do ."

The truth of this retort delighted the sporting congregation in Court, and even the Bench smiled slightly.

London, March 30. The Liverpool Spring Meeting was continued to-day. The following is the result of The Grand National Steeplechase, of 2500 sovs, inclusive of a trophy valued at 100 sovs ; second, 300 sovs ; and third, 200 sovs. Grand National course, about four miles and 856 yards. Mr Widger’s ch g Wild Man from Borneo; aged, by Decider —Wild Duck, lOst 111 b 1 Cathal, 10st 91b 2 Van der Berg, 9st 131 b ... ... ... 3 [At the latest mail advices the winner’s price was 100 to 7 offered, and 100 to 6 wanted. Cloister, who was scratched a few days ago, was favourite when the mail left.]