THE MAIDEN PLATE AND ACTION OF STEWARDS IN PROTEST.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4279, 7 December 1874, Page 2

THE MAIDEN PLATE AND ACTION OF STEWARDS IN PROTEST.

TO THE EDITOIt. Sin,—Might I as a stranger trouble you to-publish the following statement in reference to the above! I, , as the rider of Bangi, who ran second to Lough Neagh, seeing him run inside a post (which was also seen by the rider of Princess Mary) entered a protest, posted the necessary £2 25., and with the evidence I had to bring, thought the affair would be at least impartially heard, more especially as it was seen 1 could have won with Eangi had I chosen ; but to my unpleasant surprise I found several of the stewards had taken up Lough Neagh’s cause without a hearing, and were publicly expressing their disbelief in his having ran inside a post. I was called in and stated what I saw. I was asked if I knew the post he ran inside of. I replied I certainly could not swear which post it_was, , nor positively assert the exact spot (a very difficult thing to do where there are ten ortwelveposts, exclusive of the run in. in less than half a mile). I called in the only witness I had—the rider of Princess Mary, who was alongside of Lough Neagh at the time —who positively asserted he saw him run inside ; and considering he was a total stranger to me, and not in any way interested in the result of the protest, ought to have had some weight with the stewards. I believe tho stewards called in the rider of Sir Walter, who saw nothing, but admitted his horse ran very unkindly in the race and that he was at least fifty yards behind at the time. lam giving this verbatim from the witnesses themselves, as I was not-allowed to remain in the room, nor any other person in the interests of Eangi‘s owner. The case was conducted in a most one-sided and unfair manner. Messrs. Paul and Young (two of the stewards) went up to the place where the horse ran inside, or as near the place as I could point out. I called their attention to some marks, but Mr. Young, who had previously expressed his opinion favorably to Lough Neagh, would not stop to look long enough, but pointed out some four horses’ tracks on the running ground and said they were sufficient for him, no other horses having passed over tho course that day. Such, however, was not true, as several horsemen were seen cantering round over the same place. Now, whether these persons were interested in any way, I am not at present prepared to say, but I am writing from facts. Nothing further was said upon the subject on the racecourse, but sitting down at a public dinner I heard Dr. Diver (one of the stewards) remark (and not in very gentlemanly language) that the rider of Eangi should have been disqualified for entering tho protest, and if he, the Dr., had any influence he would be ; in fact he would resign his stewardship unless such was done, I thereupon made the Dr. acquainted with my presence, and told him whoever said Lough Neagh did not run inside a post told a lie; whereupon the Dr. said it was an infernal swindle from beginning to end, and he would have nothing further to do with the club unless I was disqualified. I told him he could do what the he liked. The next day Mr, Cutts intimated to me I should be disqualified, he had been so informed by some of the stewards, unless I sent in a written apology. As I had been retained in Canterbury and my expenses paid by Mr. Cutts to ride Mr. Watts* horses, I considered myself duty bound to comply with his request, and accordingly did so, trusting it would be sufficient, but they (the stewards) fined me £2 2s besides ; which Mr. Cutts paid. I do not think the Wellington Jockey Club have any precedent, nor do I consider they were justified, in taking any notice of the arguments or expressions of opinion at public places, as I consider myself justified in refuting any statements made publicly by stewards; as my position off tho racecourse is tho same as any other private citizen, and I consider the conduct of Dr. Diver most unmanly aud ungentlemanly in taking advantage of his position of steward to revenge himself on nfb for disputing his right to insult me in a public place aud apart from his official duties. , _ , , _ The above is a true statement, ami I leave tho public to judge whether or not I have been fairly dealt with. Trusting, Sir, you will kindly publish this, —I am, &c , • E. Ricitardsok, Eider of Eangi.