THE D.J.C AND NORTHERN OWNERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1892, 15 May 1890, Page 27

THE D.J.C AND NORTHERN OWNERS.

The following correspondence has passed on the subject of a request for an inquiry into the action of the Northern owners, who, in November last, signed a " round robin " demanding the dismissal of Mr Dowse as handicapper, and upon their request being ignored, withdrew their horses from the Dunedin Cup and Publicans' Handicap: — Leslie Hills, Culverden, Ohristchurch, Maroh 15, 1890. The Stewards, D.J.C. , Dunedin. Gentlemen, — On my return from Australia a short time back, I was surprised to find that you had taken so little notice of the formal protest, or probably I should say remonstrance, of the bulk of the principal owners of raoehorses both in Canterbury and the North Island in connection with your Exhibition race meeting. The action taken by them in unanimously scratching all their horses entered for your last meeting, ought, in my opinion, to induce you to hold a full and thorough inquiry into the whole matter, with the view of finding out why they did io, and whether or not the grounds of their dissatisfaction were real or imaginary. Probably it is not yet too late to do so. At any rate this matter should not rest as it now stands ; and I, as one who have raced horaeaafc your meetings in the past, and will do so in the future, would be glad to find that you could see your way to now go fully into it, and have it cleared up in a satisfactory ! manner to all concerned. As it now stands it certainly is not so. Awaiting a favourable reply at your earliest convenience,—l am, &c, Duncan Rutherford. Dunedin, April 12, 1890. To the Secretary of the Dunedin Jockey Club. Sir,— l hear that the club has received a letter from Mr Dunoan Rutherford asking for an inquiry into the circumstances under which certain Northern owners of horses scratched their horses for the Dunedih Cup and Publicans' Handicap, and as my name has been brought prominently before the public in connection with the same subjeot, I beg to state that as handicapper to the club 1 not only cheerfully acquieice in what is asked by Mr Rutherford, but I now formally demand an inquiry into all the circumstances of the case. I think that the club will consider it will only be fair to me to have a thorough investigation into the whole matter.— l am, 4c, George Dowsb. Dunedin, May 7, 1890. Dear Sir,— At the last meeting of my committee your letter of the 15th Maroh, asking for an inquiry into the causes which led the principal owners in Canterbury and the North Island to scratch their horses for the autumn meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club, together with a similar request from the handicapper, came up for consideration, and it was resolved to hold the inquiry asked for as early as possible. My committee have, therefore, arranged to meet at the club rooms on Monday, th« ,26th inst.,atß p.m., to hear any evidence which may be forthcoming, and they will be glad if you and the other owners referred to in your letter will take the opportunity cf communicating the reasons which induced you and them to take the course referred to.— l have, &c., Sydney Jambs, Secretary. ' Duncan Rutherford, Leßlie.Hills, Culverden. The following circular letter has also been addressed by the club to Messrs G. 6. Stead, G. H. Clifford. A, L. Popham, S. H. Gollan, T. Murphy, W. C. Webb, R. Ray, W. Russell, and Hon. E. Mitchelson :— _ Dunedin, May 7,^890. Sir,— At the last meeting of my committee a letter from Mr Duncan Rutherford asking for an inquiry into the causes which led the principal owners in Canterbury and the North Island to scratch their horses for the autumn meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club, together with a similar request from the handicapper, came up for consideration ; and it was resolved to hold the inquiry asked for as early na possible, My committee have therefore arranged to meet at the club rooms on Monday, 26th iust.,at 8 p.m., and hear any evidence which may be forthcoming, and will be glad if you and the other owners referred to in Mr Rutherford's letter will take the opportunity of communicating the reasons which induced you and them to take the course mentioned. I enclose copies of letters received from Mr D. Rutherford and Mr Dowse, and remain— Yours, &c, Sydney James, Secretary D.J.C.