SPORTING

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 100, 1 September 1923, Page 5

SPORTING

ENGLISH TURF SWINDLE, SENSATION IN WEST END CLUBS. FORCED MAIL MARKS. (Received 11.36 a.m.) London t August 31. The Daily Chronicle reveals an extraordinary turf swindle, in which twenty men, were engaged, several being well-connected naval and military ex-officers belonging to well known West End clubs. These were associated with three Americans confidence tricksters. The chief device wa 8 an attempt to swindle the bookmakers by forging postmarks on letters containing betting commissions. Members of the gang, by means of forged references and other devices, opened credit accounts with leading bookmakers. Then letters were sent from the provinces bo accomplices in London, which wore addressed in pencil. These addresses were rubbed out, and the envelopes readdressed to the bookmakers after they had been steamed open and the names of winning horses inserted. Finally, the date or time on the postmarks were altered bo make it appear that the bets were posted on the morning of the race, and the letters wore left in the bookmakers’ letter boxes, as though they had come by post. Fortunately, some of the bookmakers had arranged that all their letters should be delivered from post offices in locked mail bags, so the attempted frauds were detected. The gang also defrauded backers by running a bogus betting office and similar frauds.

RACES IN NEW PLYMOUTH,

NORTH TARANAKI HUNT. New'iplymouth, September 1. The North Taranaki Hunt Club races were held to-day in fine weather. The course was in good order. Results;— Lopperton. Hurdles, of Soso vs., 1* miles.—Halcyon (10.3) 1, Camp Gun (9.3) 2, Buazied (0.0) 3. Also started ; Second Choice, Haukino, Darnley, Ma-nukorihi. Won by four lengths. Time, 3.4 1-5. Scurry, of Sosovs.. 5 furlongs (all Bst).—Avoia 1, Lusylvia 2, Gold Pali 3. Scratched : Goldpeak, Glengnrivo, Hatapiko. Won by two lengths. Time, 1.(5 2-6. Omata Hurdles, of 95sovs., about l.i miles.—-Locksou (10.3) 1, Captain Sarto (9.0) 2, White Ranger (9.11) 3. All started. Won by ten lengths. Time. 3.1 1-6. Stratford Handicap, of 126 so vs., 6 furlongs.—-Ponma (7.11) 1, Cold Steel (8.1) and Reromoana (7.3) dead heat 2. Scratched; Sunny Jim. Halgina. Won by three lengths. Time. 1.16 3-5. Cup, of I7osovs., about 2) miles. Te Toa (12.3) 1, Tarakete (10.2) 2. Tempo (i 11.2) 3. Scratched; Royal Park, Etude. Won by three lengths. Time, 5.14 3-o. ____