THE OAKHAMPTON CASE

Otago Witness, Issue 3649, 19 February 1924, Page 69

THE OAKHAMPTON CASE

MANAWATU CLUB’S ACTION ENDORSED. AN OUTSIDE ASSOCIATIONS INTERFERENCE. ACTION STRONGLY CONDEMNED. CHRISTCHURCH, February 11. The disqualification recently imposed by the Manawatu Trotting Club on A. J. Corrigan, driver of Oakhampton, for alleged interference with Lady Zoej was discussed at to day’s meeting of the Board of the New Zealand Trotting Association. The president (Mr P. Selig) said he did not intend to bring the case up, but Mr J. R. Corrigan, M.P., owner of Oakhampton, had sent him a personal letter, and had also put in an appeal. Mr Corrigan was present in Christchurch, and had put in a request that he might interview the board. He had informed Mr Corrigan that his best plan was to address a letter to the board and the matter could be decided early in the meeting. The president said he proposed to read the letters received from Mr Corrigan, and also the' communications regarding the matter from the Manawatu Trotting Club. Mr Corrigan had made a statement to the speaker the previous day that since his arrival in this city he (Mr Corrigan) had been accused of backing Eulius for £3OO when Eulius won at Gisborne recentlv. Mr Corrigan staled lie did not back Eulius on that occasion, and be thought the matter should be cleared up by the association. The other matter he referred to was that some doubts hud been east on the bona fides of King Lear, a horse he had given away. He also asked that this matter be cleared up. Mr Selig added that he told Mr Corrigan the association was not dealing with matters of this kind, and that a lot of people would have to answer questions later on. Th© president expressed the opinion that th© Manawatu Trotting Club’s decision was made on a question of fact. He had no doubt there was no appeal whatever.

Mr IV. H. Denton : But we are not dealing with Mr Corrigan, senior—it is his son who was suspended. The President: Mr Corrigan, senior, has some standing in the matter, though the report of the inquiry held by the Manawatu Trotting Club on January 17, regardi ing the driving of Oakhampton by A. J. Corrigan was read, the decision was that A J. Corrigan be suspended for 12 months. Both A. J. Corrigan and Mr J. R. Corrigan (owner of Oakhampton) had lodged notices of appeals, and a report of the evidence at the inquiry was heard. The i committee considered there was no right of ' appeal in the case. According to the evi- | dence on which the decision was made, the driver of Oakhampton interfered with Lady ; Zoe, who was driven by 11. J. Woodj field during the race. The committee [ unanimously disqualified Oakhampton from j the race arid suspended A. J. Corrigan forjl2 months. The president then read the letter he had received from Mr .T, R. Corngun asking to be heard by the board. Mr Selig again expressed tbe opinion that there was no appeal. Mr Denton: Is that wise? We're wasting time. The President: I hardly think so. Mr Corrigan says the procedure at the inquiry was wrong, and we have to be satisfied that the procedure was right. Personally J I think the rules of the club were complied with. Mr Corrigan, senior, however, says be was not given a chance of being heard, but his son could have called him if lie wished to do so. Mr R. A. Armstrong: Mr Corrigan, senior, was there all tbe time walking around. He came around to the door while the inquiry was being held, and spoke to Mr A. G. Mabeo, tbe stipendiary steward. Mr R. W. Short moved that the action of the Manawatu Trotting Club in suspending A. J. Corrigan for 12 months be endorsed, and that Mr J. R. Corrigan lie not heard by tlie board. The motion was carried unanimously. With reference to the other matters mentioned by Mr J. R. Corrigan, the board decided that it could not do anything on Mr Corrigan’s behalf at present. Later in tbe meeting the president said ' a letter had been received from Mr C. F. Giesen. secretary of tbe North Island Trotting Owners and Breeders’ Association, which was the kind of letter that should not be addressed to the board. It was tantamount to trying to influence a jury on behalf of an accused person. The letter havin'- been read, the following resolution was carried—“ That this board emphatically condemns tbe action of the North Island Trotting Owners' and Breeders’ Association in attempting to influence the board's decision in regard to the action taken by tbe Manawatu Trot ting Club in the Oakampton case, and warns the North Island Trotting Owners’ and Breeders’ Association that mn repot: tion of this unwarranted attempt to inter fore with the course of justice will be made the subject of vigorous action by tiny board.”