A TROTTING CASE

Patea Mail, Volume XLVII, 18 February 1924, Page 3

A TROTTING CASE

SUSPENSION UPHELD

CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 15,

The disqualification recently imposed by the Manawatu Trotting Club on A. J. Corrigan, driver of Oakhampton, for alleged interference with Lady Zoe, was discussed at to-day's meeting of the Board of the New Zealand Trotting Association. The president (Mr I’. Selig) said that 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 at 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 that 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 clay to the effect that since his arrival in the city, he (Mr Corrigan) had been accused of backing Eulius for £3OO when that horse won at Gisborne recently. Mr Corrigan had stated that he did not back Eulius on that occasion, and ho thought the matter should be cleared up by the xVssociatiou. The other matter he referred to was that sonic doubts had been cast on the bona tides of King Lear, a horse he had given away. He had also asked that this matter be cleared up. Mr Sclig added that he had told Mr Corrigan that the Association was not dealing with matters of this kind, and that a lot of people would have to answer questions later on. The president expressed the opinion that the Manawatu Club’s decision was made on a question of fact, and he had no doubt that there was no appeal.

Mr W. H. Denton: But we are not dealing with Mr Corrigan, sen.; it is his son who was suspended. The President: Mr Corrigan, sen., has some standing in the matter, though. The report of the enquiry held by the Mauawatu Trotting Club on January 17th regarding the driving of Oakhampton by A. J. Corrigan was read. The decision was: “That A. J. Corrigan be suspended for twelve months.” Both A. J. Corrigan and J. K. Corrigan (owner of Oakhampton) had lodged notices of appeals, and the report of evidence at the enquiry was read. The committee considered that there was no right of appeal in the case. According to evidence on which the decision was made, the driver of Oakhampton interfered with Lady Zoc, who was driven by 11. J. Woodhcad during the race. ‘The committee unanimously disqualified Oakhampton from the race and suspended A. J. Corrigan for twelve months.

The president then read the letter he had received from Mr J. R. Corrigan, asking to be heard by the Board. Mr ►Sclig again expressed the opinion that there was no.appeal. - -

Mr Denton: Is that wise? We’re wasting time now. Mr fc>elig: I hardly think so. Mr Corrigan says the procedure at the enquiry was wrong, and we have to be satisiicd that the procedure was right. Personally, I think that the rules of the Club were complied with. Mr Corrigan, son., however, says that he was not given a chance of being heard, but his son could have called him if he wished to do so.

Mr E. A. Armstrong: Mr Corrigan, sen., was there all the time, walking around. He came to the door while the inquiry was being held, and spoke to A. G. Mabcc, the Stipendiary Steward.

Mr E. W. Short moved: “That the action of the Manawatu Trotting Club in suspending A. J. Corrigan for twelve months be endorsed, and that J. It. Corrigan be not heard by the Board. ’' ‘The motion was. carried unanimously.

With reference to the other matters mentioned by J. E. Corrigan, the Board decided that it could not do anything on Mr Corrigan’s behalf at present. Later in the meeting, the president said that a letter hud been received from Mr C. F. Giescu, secretary of the North Island Trotting Owners and Breeders’ Association, which was the kind of letter that should not have been addressed to the Board. It was tantamount to trying to influence a’ jury on behalf of an accused person. The letter having been read, the following resolution was carried: —“That this Board emphatically condemns the action of the North Island Trotting Owners and Breeders’ Association in attempting-to influence the Board’s decision in regard to action taken by the Manawatu Trotting Club in the Oakhampton case, and warns the North Island Trotting Owners and Breeders' Association that any repetition of this unwarranted attempt to interfere with the course of justice will be made the subject of vigorous action by the Board.”