SOUTH ISLAND TROTTING ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2250, 15 April 1897, Page 32

SOUTH ISLAND TROTTING ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the .South Island Trotting Association was held at the City Hotel on Monday. Present : Messrs W Rollitt (in the chair), C. W. Howell (Pluinpton T C ), T. M'Lean (Ashburton T.C.), A. L. Myers (Tahuna Park), P. Helig (Greymouth T.C.), I. Marr (New Rrighton T.<\), I. Macnamava (Timaru T.C ), L. Matsou (Canterbury T.C.), F. J. Fuchs (Southland T. 0.), and J. Chadwick (Nelson T.C).

The following programmes were passed :—Winslow Club (subject to fees being paid) and Canterbury Trotting * lub.

A letter from the secretary of the Marlborough Racing Club was received, and his action, as disclosed in the letter, endorsed. The programme of the racing club, Rangiora, was passed ; the Tahuna Park programme was ap. proved, subject to alteration in accordance with rules ; the Ashburton Racing Club programme was passed.

The secretary of the Waimate Club wrote inquiring if its programme had been passed. A reply ia the negative was ordered to be forwarded.

An application to allow Misß Button to drive at country meetings was refused.

A letter was read fiotn a Geraldine resident alleging corrupt practices indulged in by several pci son->, and also complaining ot the bad language used at : sports meetings in that distiict. It was decided 10 communicate with the officials of the club mentioned in the letter inquiring as to the truth of the allegations, and warning them that in future trotting events would not be passed if such allegations were correct.

A letter was read from tho Geraldine Trotting Club stating that the cluli was anxious to removo the di-qualification from Charles Ilammoud. It was decided that the application to that effect could not be entertained.

A letter was read from Geraldine giving particulars of some alleged "ringing-in" cases in that district. It was agreed to inquire fiom the club mentioned whether such was correct.

A letter was read from the Greymouth Trotting Club asking that a license be issued to j. Humphries. A further letter was received to the effect that the club had subsequently decided not to recommend the association to grant the licenbe on account of intuiting language used by Humphries towards the secretary of the club. Ib was agreed not to isjuo a license to Humphries, aud to thank Mr Hungerford, the secretary of the Greymouth Trotting (Jlub, for his efforts on behalf of trotting.

The Greynionth Trotting Club also wrote re the " rir.giug-in " of a certain horse in that district, and stating that the club had authorised its secretary to proceed to the North Island with the object of identifying an animal alleged to have bean "rung-in" .it Greymouth ; also suggesting that the association might financially aahist the clut^ in its efforts to stop ' ringing-in." The afesociation decided that it was prepared to assist when it had ascertained what theso expenses amounted to.

A letter was received afeking whether the fact of Lulu having competed in an unregistered trot at (Jarletoa would debar the horse from competing at registered meetiug3. It was decided to reply in the negative. A letter was read from the Akaroa, Kacing Club giving particulars leading up to the disqualification of the horse Homeward for life on the ground that he was not a district horse according to tho

inles; also at to the disqualification for lifo infhcted on O. O'lleilly, owner of Homeward. From the evidence forwarded it was shown that the stewauls also reprimanded I). Pi ice, who rode Homeward.

A letter was read from C. O'Reilly appealing against his disqualification by the Akaroa club. As the usual fco was not enclosed it wag decided to adjourn the whole case to give C. O'lleilly an opportunity of complying with the rules.

With reference to the disqualification of Annie Roonev by the New Brighton Trotting Club, a copy of the evidence taken by the club, and which had been forwarded to the association, was read. From this it appeared that the mare was disqualified for alleged inconsistency. Annie Rnoney started in a tuilc, race (in saddle) previous to tho one she won (in harness) over the same distance. Ihe saddle race w.is won by Daisy in 2niiu ;"Q=ec, and Annie Rooney finished last. In the next race Annie Rooney won, in harness, in 2min sSsc. A statement was lead from Mr T. Walker, owner of x\.nnie Roouey, which was to the effect that he had tried to win the Mile Saddle event ; that his mare was considerably knocked about in that event, and giving the names of several persons who had uoticed that the mare was interfered with. Mr Walker also complained that it was unfair for stowaids who had backed Nigger, who finished second, and who had been awarded the stake by the club, to sit in judgment on tho protest and vote in favour of Nitjger.

Mr Ritchie, solicitor, appeared on behalf of Mr T. Walker. Hid client asserted that there was no inconsistency ia Annie Roouey's two performances ; and, as a matter of fact, Annie Kooney could not put up the time registeied by Daisy — sniin SOsec The Now Brighton Club did not call evidence to substantiate or disprove the statement that, Annie liooney was interfered' with in the saddle event."" Evidence could be produced to show that one of the stewards who sat in judgment on the case hud inveated £50 ou Nigger.

Mr St'lig thought th it if it could be proved that one of the stewards d'd b^ck Nigger f^r £50, and then sat in judgment on the case, the as»ociation should most decidedly uphold the appeal.

Thi 1 ! opinion was also endorsed by Messrs Howell and Mnrr, both of whom stated that they had seen Me srs Honhs and Goodwin's cheque made out in favour of the steward referred to.

The Chairman thought that this view was not quite f.iir, as the fact of a steward backing a horse and sitting on a c.i c e did not necessarily prove that the verdict of the club was unjust. Mr Chadwick thought that it would be advisable to first hear the evidence before discussing the matter. If a steward hacked a hor^e and voted ace jv .ling to his pocket his vote should not be allowed to count.

The Chairman was of opinion that the association should decline to pass the programme of any club whiUt Mich a steward, if proved guilty of voting as alienee', was a member of tho executive. Mr T. Walker was called, anil repeated tha statements contained in his affidavit. Was prepared to provii that a certain steward of the New JUiKhtou Club heavily supported Nigßer. Tho steward admitted this fict to him (Walker). Would -„year that he did his he&t to win the Mila Saddle Race Thought Annie Jtooncy was better iv harness than in saddle. Put. .£3 on the mare in the first lace and £1 in the second. Had no idea what dividend Annie Rooney was paying in the nice she won before the start. Could not call evidence on the course, as all those who saw the mare interfered with had gone homo. Suggested at tha adjourned meeting of the stewaicU that he might be allowed to produce evidence, but was told it was unnecessaiy. Could not prove that any other steward but the one mentioned had backed Nigger. Had heard that others had backed k'tn. -

Mr Morrison said that he was with Mr Walker on the night the New Brighton ("lub decided the case. Was present when one of the steward* who sat on the case stated that he had backed Nigger for £50. Mr W. Hobb«, totalisator proprietor, stated that it was quite true that one of tho stewards had backed Annie Roouey for £50, and produced documents to prove his statement. So fa.r as he knew the steward mentioned had but £5 invested in any other lace. Mr Chadwick thought the two performances of the mare Annie Rooney were inconsistent Believed that Walker went out to win the Saddle Race, but was of opinion that, like many others well away from the leaders, be did not try after being knocked about. Mr Selig said he thought the fact of a steward backing a horse and then voting in favour of that horse w^s one of the most scandalous things he had ever heari of.

Mr Sullivan corroborated the statement that Annie Rooney was hiterforei with in the Saddle Race by Kentucky Maid. Rode the Utter horse. Annie llooney wus subsequently p.issed by Kentucky Maid in the straight. Annie .Rooney might have done about linuu 20sec in the Saddle Race. Aunie Rooney and Kentucky Maid finished last. Neither had any chance of winning after colliding. Mr Macnamara expressed the opinion that the voting on the question should be by ballot. The Chaii man thought it would be as well to give the steward accused of backing Nigger for iso a chance to give evidence. Several delegates thought that the steward knew when the association met and should have attended.

Mr Chadwick also considered the steward thould be given a chance to expl iin. Mr Marr, one of the New Bighton stewards, stated that the steward referred to as having put i!SO on Nigger stated at the inquiry of the club that he had only 53 on Nigger. Mr Selig thought that there could be no doubt on the evidence before the association that Mr T. Walker honestly tried to win the saddle race. The fact of a steward backing one of the horses affected should have prevented him from sitting in -judgment on the case. It was then moved— "That the appeal be sustained, and that this association views with greit dissatisfaction the principle of betting by stewards who sit in judgment on protests." Mr Howell was of opinion that the action of the New Brighton Club was most iniquitous. He supported Mr Selig's remarks re betting by stewards. Was of opinion that this £50 transaction decided the verdict of the stewards. Mr Myers supported Mr Selig's remarks. Thought there was not sufficient evidence as to the 'inconsistency on time, and quoted the associition's decibion in the Honest wilkes case, which was decided on time. If that case was decided on time, why not this one? Mr M'Lenn said he witnessed the race in question. Was assistant judge. Was of opinion that Annie Rooney could not, have won the saddle race, and thought there was no inconsistency proved. The motion was carried unanimously.

There cannot be a doubt in the miuds of all honest sportsmen that the association's decision was a juot one. Next week I ehall probably comment on the case.