THE TATTERSAL'S STAR CHAMBER. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5938, 19 February 1881, Page 3

THE TATTERSAL'S STAR CHAMBER. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—You published an interesting item of news in your sporting: notes today, viz.—the adjudication by the Committee of the recently formed Tattersall's on some disputed betting-transactions of some niaTiitude between Drake and R.. Goodison, Ido not know either of these men, therefore what I write is absolutely free from any partizanship. Taking- a little interest in Bporting matters I have made some inquiries today into the details of the transaction which led to the case being brought before.Tattersall's; and also of the mode of hearing the case adopted by that body. Talcing the latter first, it seems to mo that Drake has ample causa to be not only thoroughly dissatisfied with the mode adopted by Tattersall's Committee in adjudicating on the case, but he has also substantial grounds in declining to abide by theirdecision. Ido not know whether there is any appeal to another tribunal—the Dunedm Jockey Club, for example—but there certainly ought to be. I cannot, for a moment, inianne that the Jockey Club will endorse the decision of Tattersall'a, unless by independent inquiry it satisfies itself that the decision is a fair one. The whole of the proceedings seem to have been conducted with a .'-tar Chamber-like secrecy, which is highly objectionable The representatives of the Press'should, in the first instance, have been admitted, and in place of brinn-in" in those who had to give evidence one by one—the mode of procedure adopted—l think it can scarely be 1 open to question, that both Goodison and Drako should have present throughout the inquiry. There are several rumours abroad which attach considerable - suspicion iw to the fairness of the inquiry; it being said that certain members of the Jockey "Club Committee were interested in some way in the bets As many of the Club Committee are al3o members of Tattcrsalls Committee, it is to be hoped that none of those who are said to have been mixed up with the bets sat on the inquiry. The whole affair seems to be giving very great dissatisfaction lam, &c, ' Dunedin, February 18th. : , ."'"-.-: