ARGUMENT OVER TROTTER

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1932, Page 7

ARGUMENT OVER TROTTER

QUESTION OF HALF SHARE.

DEALINGS WITH RED SHADOW.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Christchurch, Last Night.

Whether William George Deyell agreed to give F. A. Neal a half share in Red Shadow, a well-known trotting horse (which half share Neal transferred to John Grieve, an engineer) was the main question involved in an action in the Supreme Court this morning. The plaintiff was Emily Frances Grieve, widow of John Grieve, who died in August last, and the defendant was William George Deyell. Mr. Justice Ostler was on the bench. Mr. Johnston appeared for the plaintiff and Mr. Donnelly for the defendant At the conclusion of Mr. Johnston’s opening address His Honour remarked: “The contest appears to be within the narrow limits of whether Deyell signed an agreement with F. A. Neal.” Mr. Johnston: “Yes, Your Honour.” His Honour: “Then there is going to be some hard swearing on one side or the other.” . Mr. Johnston: “Yes sir.”

Frederick Ashley Neal said he and Deyell bought Red Shadow from James Bryce in May, 1930. After the Sapling Stakes witness wanted to.surrender the. horse, but Deyell would not agree, and at Deyell’s suggestion he gave him an option over the horse. Bryce failed to accept with the horse for the New Zealand Trotting Derby, and witness and Deyell asked for a reduction in the purcase price in consequence. Bryce agreed to reduce the price by £5OO, provided he had the training of the horse for its racing career, and provided also that if the horse won £lOOO or more in stakes the £5OO reduction should be only £2OO. On two occasions witness lent Deyell money, one sum of £4OO and another of £3OO. Witness and Deyell had also owned Deceitful, and in connection with that Deyell owed witness £l5O. Red Shadow won the Northern Derby. Thereafter witnes tried to get a settlement with Deyell over Deceitful. Deyell considered he should not pay as Deceitful had not won, his contention being that unless the horse won he should not pay. Tney had expected that it would win. Mr. Johnston: Why? Witness: Well, it was handicapped at 4.59 and had gone 4.30. Mr. Johnston: One of the good things that went west.

Mr. Donnelly: It was well named. The case was not concluded.