TROTTING INQUIRY

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144421, 8 July 1914, Page 5

TROTTING INQUIRY

THE ALEXANDRA PARK CASE.

(From the Christchurch Press.)

The N. Z. Trotting Association met on Wednesday last to Hold an inquiry into tile case of the horso Alexandra Park, alleged to be identical with lied Cloud. I n ere were present: -Messrs. I*, ociig (president), iV. Hayward, C. P. Mark, Vf. E. Ernies, and W. ii. Denton.

Tho president read a summary of tho evidence that had been taken during the investigation. Red Cloud (iato Rod lac) was described in the application lor registration as a bay gelding uy Prince imperial—Lady Criterion, -1 years old, ib.i bands, no brands, pure uay with black points, no white or other distinctive raarus, bred by John D’Grady, and owned by W. Flaskett, HalewoU. On March 23, 10U, Kodlao won the Wanganui Cup. The name was then changed to lied Cioud, and ho competed in the April Handicap at tho New Zealand Metropolitan T.C.’s Easter Meeting. He competed again at tho same club’s meeting on August 7 of year, and wop a nuio race in 2.17. Flaskets then advertised the horse for sale. On December 1 a letter (the cover of which bore the Dunedin postmark of November 30, 12.1/) a.m.) was received, signed -‘J. B. M'Allester, Melbourne," suiting that he iiad bought Red Cloud from W. Flaskett. On December 6 Flaskett wrote stating that ha had sold Red Cloud to J. B. M’Allestcr, of Melbourne. Red Cloud at this point appeared to have gone into obscurity. Inquiries had been made hi Now South Wales, Vietona, and Tasmania, and the authorities there said there had been no horse of the name Red Cloud racing there from Now Zealand.

j Ou Aug. ‘2.1,1913, an application to toi gister a gelding named Alexandra Park, j by Sylvia Pari;—Judge Bcldon marc, bred and owned by J. R. Corrigan, of Hawera, was received by tho association. The horse was shipped to Sydney in charge of the trainer A. E. Adams, and arrived in Melbourne about October 20, where he was then controlled by D. J. Price. Owing, it was alleged, to an accident to one of his legs, Alexandra Park was scratched for tho Richmond Thousand., Corrigan had cabled to Price leaving it to him to use his own judgment about starting the horse, hut Price left it to Adams to decide. Tho horse was shipped hack to New Zealand, arriving in Wellington on Christinas Eve, and Hawera on New Year’s Eve, On January 23, 1911, Alexandra Park won two races at the Hutt Valley T.C.’b meeting. While there, K. H. Smith, of Belfast, drew the attention of Mr. Garrard to Alexandra Park. Mr. Garrard’s suspicions were aroused, and he called two well-known Canterbury horsemen, R. Roay and T. 0. Fox, to thoroughly examine tho horse. The association subsequently resolved to hold an inquiry. At the 'association’s April meeting, Messrs. M’Milian and Plaskett were examined as to their knowledge of Red Cloud and Alexandra Park. Mr. .Pollock and tho secretary later met in Wellington, and examined Adams (rider and trainer of Alexandra Park), J. W. M'Carty, steward of tho Manawatu Trotting Club, W. H. Edwards, J. E. August (stewards of the Hutt Valley Trotting Club), and D. Nyhan (horse trainer). All of those were present at tho Hutt Valley Club’s meeting, and all (with the exception of Adams) .swore that Alexandra Park was identical with Red Cloud. H. IV. Barraclough, horse trainer, Hawera, stated that he leased Corrigan’s track, and had onco driven Alexandra Park on it. Ho also saw Red Cloud win the 'Wanganui Cup and formed a private opinion when he saw Alexandra- Pa k working on his track that ho and Red Cloud were identical. When ho firtjt ,aw Alexandra Park, he took him io be by Prince Imperial, bocan.se he had tho characteristics of that horse’s progeny. Ou April 9, the association wrote to Mr. Corrigan (whose solicitors had written courting tho fullest investigation), stating that the association’s representatives would attend at Hawera to examine witnesses and documents. On April 11, Corrigan telegraphed to tho association as follows;—“Whilo working to-day, Alexandra Park fell, partially dislocated neck ; got concussion brain ; vet. thinks slight hope of recovery. I thought only right to advise you.” On April 17, Messrs. Pollock and Mark held an inquiry at Hawera, and took the evidence of a number of witnesses. Mr. Pollock, with Mr. Corrigan’s consent, took possession of tile off foreleg of the horse alleged to be Alexandra Park. Thero was a slight enlargement on the fetlock, which Corrigan said was caused by Alexandra Pari; striking himself when trotting. Plasketfc had stated that Red Cloud had a wire mark on the near foreleg. Sir. Pollock subsequently showed tho off foreleg’ to Barraclough, who recognised it as belonging to Alexandra Park. At the inquiry in Hawera, William M. Dowie stated that he know Alexandra Park. About the time he was nominated for tho Rich-

mond Thousand, ho rode the horse about two miles. Ho would not trot, but shuffled or paced. Reference was made to th« fact that Corrigan had net seen lit to inform the association heypnd his first- telegram regarding the accident to the horse, or that he had ordered him to be shot arid cut up and given to tho pigs. Considerable evidence had been taken by Messrs. Mark and Pollock, and other sworn declarations had been sent in from persons who gave evidence principally at Corrigan’s request. W. C. Hird was of opinion that Alexandra Park and Red Cloud were not the same animat At tho request of the association copies of Corrigan’s pass books iiad been obtained. There was an entry on December 13, 1911, of £6O paid to Plasketfc, and a further entry on January Ml, 19X2, of £2 XOs paid to Flaskett. There were also entries of payments to H'Millan, and of amounts paid to the Railway Department, including ono on January 24, of £1 10s. J. A- Turton, who kept Corrigan’s books, had given evidence that there was no record since April, 1912, when ho commenced to keep the books, of any transaction with Plaskett. On May 23, ISI3, in the application to register Alexandra Park, Corrigan gave the age as six years. On May 21, 1914, in a sworn declaration, he stated that Alexandra Parle was then six years old. D. J. Goodwin, owner of Sylvia Park, the alleged sire of Alexandra Park, in a sworn declaration, said Sylvia Park served four mares belonging to Mr. Corrigan in 1906,* and any progeny would be foaled about August, UKi'i. According to the registration paper dated May 2d, 1913, Alexandra Park was a six-year-old, therefore, no was a six-year-o'd in August, 1912, and his foaling dale would nave been about August,"l9o6. At the inquiry at Hawcra on April 17. Dudley Brooks, Michael Shanahan, L. Goudgcr, and Adam Sergeant gave evidence to tho ctf'cat that the horse they knew as Alexandra Park liad been bred by Mr. Com-

gan. \\. Plaskett. who was then called, said .he had received a cheque from J. R. Corrigan for £6.). and laior on one or £2 10a. Part of the £OO was for expenses incurred in to long two horses to Auckland, and the balance was for a dividend. he had given Corrigan £7 to put on a horse, which had won, and Corrigan had made a mistake and had put the money on another horse, but had paid him the amount of fhc dividend.

J. U. Corrigan (owner) and A. E. Adams (trainer of Alexandra Park) then appeared before tlic board. Yv. B. Clarkson stated that ho saw Alexandra Park at Richmond. Alexandra Park had an injury to one of his fore-logs, and he considered the injury was due to an accident. He had no suspicion in Melbourne as to the horse’s identity. Air. Corrigan produced a photograph, and the, vviuics-. stated that to the best of his belief it was the horse tie had seen in Melbourne.

Mr. Corrigan then produced some photographs, and questioned Plaskett regarding them. Witness said that one of thorn, marked A, resembled Red Cloud in some respects. Another marked B he considered to bo a photograph of tho samo horso, resembling Rod Cloud in some particulars. Ho did not think exhibit C was a photograph of Red Cloud.

Air. Garrard, in reply to Air. Corrigan, said that he could not identify tho horses in the photographs.

In answer to questions, Corrigan said Alexandra Park would have been seven years old on August 1 next. It did not occur to him to send tho association advice that the horse had had to, be destroyed. Prior to Alexandra Park meeting with tho accident which necessitated his destruction, ho had been examined by two representatives of the association, Ho had told the veterinary surgeon to make a careful note of any marks on the horse. Ho did not know Jlcd Cloud. He was at tho.Hutt Valley meeting, but did not hoar anything there about there being suspicions regarding Alexandra Park. Alexandra Park had more than one trial before leaving Now Zealand for Melbourne, on one occasion going half a mile in 1.9, and another in 1.8. The exhibits marked A and 1! were photographs of a horse owned by Mr. Goodgcr, of Hawera, and ho had had them talcen to show how hard it was to identify a horso. Alexandra Park was about three years old when ho first showed speed. Ho did not know any other horse by Sylvia Park that had gone as fast as Alexandra Park had done. Ho had about £2O or £2o on Alexandra Park on the first raco at Hntt Valley, and about £3O on the second race.

W. Plaskott, recalled, said he did not think it would be easy to trace the whereabouts of I'oJ Cloud. He understood, when ho sold him. that he was going to Melbourne. As long as ho got the money, he did not care what happened to a horse ho sold. In his opinion ho did not sec Red Cloud at Butt Valley. At that meeting ho did not specially look at or examine Alexandra Park on the occasion of either of his races. The only times ho saw him was when ho was on the track. Bis ; reason for backing tfio horse in his second race was because he had timed him for the last half mile of his first .

race. In conversation with tho secretary of the Association at the Now Brighton mooting, he had said that ho thought it would be time enough to try to trace lied Cloud when ho was disqualified. Ho thought it would take a considerable sum to find him, and,he did not consider he would be justified in spending that amount. In answer to Mr. Corrigan, witness said that when ho sold Red Cioud lie did not sell him to Corrigan or his agent, nor had ho any suspicion that he was going lo Corrigan, who, had never written to him regarding Red Cioud. That horse was unsound. It would depend on the speed whether ho raced him lour times during a meeting. Mr. Corrigan stated that he had raced Alexandra Park four times during two days at Auckland, and they had been hard races.

Air.- Garrard said that he was present at the Hutt Valley Meeting, and saw Alexandra Park win his first race. Some time after the race K. H. Smith said that was the horse he was spoak- ' ing about on tho boat going np to Wellington. After seeing him win Smith said, “Don’t you think ho is a hot maiden?” Then he heard general conversation. to the effect that the horse was not bona fide. On hearing tliis ho asked R. Reay to come with him and have a look at the horse. .Ho said to ilcay, “Have a good look at tliis horse,' so that you will know him if you see him on any future occasion?” Mr, Garrard continued, “I said to Reay, Have you over seen him before?” Reay replied that ho thought he had, but he could not recall him. “I said that [ thought he was like Mac’s horse, meaning [ted Cloud. I have only seen Red Cloud once in my life, and he is one of the three biggest horses 1 have ever seen racing. Later I asked T. G. Fox to go and inspect Alexandra Park, in case he should bo called on to identify him in the future, I did not know until Easter Monday that Fox, had gone to inspect the horse. Some little tiruo after the first race I saw Plaskott looking at Alexandra Park when .ho was being attended to by, I think, Adahis. and Plaskott, to my mind, was making a close examination of the horse. At 0.35 a.in. tho board adjourned till 11 a.m. on Thursday. On resuming on Thursday, in answer to questions. Mr. Corrigan said that lie knew of the inquiry which was being held in Wellington, and at which Adams was asked to attend. He saw Adams and told him to tell those who were'holding tho inquiry that he would attend if ho was required. Tho statement put in showing his winnings over the Hutt Park meeting pave a total of £2Ol, and that represeiied his gross receipts for his investments on Alexandra Perk, After Alexandra Park returned from tho Otahuhu nioexing he contracted a had cold, and Adams called in a veterinary .surgeon. Witness went to have a look at Alexandra Park one day while lie was had wit Jr the cold. That was about three nr four weeks before the horse met with tho accident, and it was the last, time ho saw tho horse alive. It bad been his intention to nominate Alexandra Park for the August meeting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club.

An affidavit was read from Arthur Frederick Gungall, photographer, of Hawera. who staled that two of the photographs produced wore of a Lay gelding belonging to L. Goodger; it third was tho head of the same horse, and the fourth was the head of a dead horso that had been taken at tho request of Messrs. Mark and Pollock.

A. E. Adams .staled that when tho photographs of Goodger’s hoi-jo were being talcen, some hair was added to Jus tail, which in its natural state was short and rat-tailed. Ho was given no reason for this being’ done, but could duly suppose it was done to make him look more like Alexandra Park.

J. K. Corrigan said that with tho exception of tlio tail, Goodgers horse was very similar to Alexandra Park in general appearance. The photograph was taken at his suggestion in order to show the similarity of tho two horses.

Affidavits were read from S. Buokrell, J. T, Gilianders, Richard Burke, B. Goodger, 1). Brookes, E. E. Haider, J. 'J'. Dwyer, J. Fryor, Chas. Restou, James B. Murfitt. Charles Jackson, and G. H. Gibson. Some of them were for tho object of establishing tho identity of iUexandra Park as having been bred by J. R. Corrigan, while others dealt with matters that had cropped up during the inquiry held by Messrs. Mark and Pollock at Hawera.

At this point Mr. Corrigan made an application to have tho registration of Alexandra Park rectified, as it had been incorrectly stated. The horse’s age had been given as six, when it should havo been five. Tho registration form had been filled in by J. A. Turton.

Poniard M’Carthy, solicitor, Hawtsra, gave evidence relating to the taking of a number of the affidavits previously read. Bo was with 31 x. Corrigan on the morning of April 7, the day of the inquiry held by 31cssrs. .Mark and Pollock. They mot Sir. Pollock, and ho asked him the 'nature of the charges mads against 3lr. Corrigan. Mr. Pollock replied that it was alleged that Alexandra Park was identical with Red Cloud. Bo had asked Mr. Pollock if he could be supplied with the evidence on which the charges were based. Mr. Pollock referred him to the association. and he had written asking for tho information, but had not received it.

Ho remembered Jlc. T’oUock remarking, that this case (ih;- Alexandra Park;, ease) was similar to tie-: Conocrab case, 'llbo same morning ho remembered seeing Mr. Pollock Udlar.v to L, Ooodger in' the street. At tiio inquiry hold by Messrs. 3(ark and Poilock, whim A. Sergeant (blacksmith) was giving evi-, donee, ho took strong exception to a remark by Mr. Pollock that there was collusion between Sergeant. Corrigan, and tho witness regarding Sergeant's evidence. Mr. Police!; said he would order witness out of the room, but did not carry his cider into effect. When Dick Ritchie was giving his evidence, that witness appealed to Mr. Corrigan for the width of tho paddock on which his private racing track was situated. Mr. Pollock took exception to any communication between that witness, and Corrigan. The latter then offered to leave the. room, and wont out. Corrigan. put his head hack into the room to toll Air. Pollock to ask Ritchie whether he had over .had any communication regarding his evidence. Mr. Pollock asked .Ritchie who invited' him there, and v before ho replied he (M ‘Carthy) said that bo had invited him thorn. lie had done so in tho" presence of Messrs. Mark and Pollock. Ho knew personally all the witnesses from whom ho had taken affidavits, with tho exception of a man named Orr, whom ho had never met. They wore generally men of good repute and good standing. Charles R. Neale, M.R.C.V.5... practising at llawcra, said he recollected

Alexandra Park, and had known him since August., 1913, when bo quartered at tho stables of the. hotel at which witness boarded. Adams, who was in charge of tho horse, went to Melbourne with him, but witness could not say when he returned. About throe weeks before Easter witness was treating Alexandra Park for inlluenaa. On April 11 ho was called by Adams to attend Alexandra Park, who had met with an accident. Ho found tho horse standing in a paddock with his head depressed to the ground. Ho told the man in charge to try to get the horse into his box, but when they tried to lead him bo collapsed at once and fell to tho ground. The dislocation of the neck had affected the spine. It was found impossible to got tl,io horse on his feet. Ho told Adams that he considered it an absolutely hopeless case, and that it would be hotter lor witness to see Mr. Corrigan. About 5.30 witness and Adams mot Mr. Corrigan in Hawera, and the latter was informed about the accident. Air. Corrigan told witness to do the very best he could for the horse, as there was an inquiry pending abouthim. Witness said that ho would -give a definite opinion the following morning. and alter seeing tho horse again advised Mr. Corrigan that tho case was quite hopeless, Air. Corrigan said that lie would leave tho case entirely in witness's hands. On the following morning witness saw tho horse again, and as he was getting worse, gave instructions for him to bo shot and removed. He told the man who removed the horse to havo him skinned as carefully as possible, ami ho. was not -mutilated beyond recognition for identification purposes. On the day before tho horse was destroyed, Air. Corrigan told witness to make a careful examination of him, and this witness did in the presence of Mr. Barraclongh, sen. Re examined the horse’s forelegs particularly, and ootild find no ware marks on him. The horse was a six-year-old. Ho had examined his mouth both before and after his death, and was quite satisfied his tooth had not boeu interfered with in any way. Witness was introduced to Mr. Pollock by Mr. Gibson in Hawera the night before the inquiry was held there. They were in conversation about Alexandra Pari;, and Mr. Pollock made a remark which witness took to bo an insinuation that, ho was in collusion with Mr. Corrigan. Witness advised Mr. Pollock to bo very careful about making such an insinuation about a professional man. Mr. Pollock made some retort and went away. Ho was told thdt Alexandra Park had fallen in his work, and that seemed to him quite feasible, because the teeth had cut into the upper lip and there was an abrasion over tho left eye. Tho horse had evidently come down on his nose and twisted his head to tho right, causing a left lateral dislocation. Tho horse was tho ono he had always been told was Alexandra Park. Hie injury which had caused tiro enlarged hock was evidently one of old standing, because thcjxmo wns hard.

A. K. Adams, in reply to Mr. Corrigan. stared that the horse, attended by Mr. ISeale was the. liorse ho had taken la Melbourne, and afterwards raced at Hutt Valley and Auckland, and the liorse which he had taken delivery of from Mr. Corrigan in August Inst. Mr. Corrigan stud that he thought he had shown that he was entitled to have Alexandra Park's registration certificate altered from seven years to six years. If that was so, the ease fell to the ground, because lied. Cloud, the horse it was claimed was identical with Alexandra Pari;, was a Tear older.

The president said that was a point for the board to consider. If 3ir. Corrigan was prepared to lot his case rest at its present stage, that was a matter for him to decide. Mr. Corrigan said that ho had other witnesses to call, but he was endeavouring to shorten tho proceedings if posRobcrt 3l‘Milian, called by the association, stall'd that bo could not recognise the hor.se in the photograph produced. Tic did not know the age of Alexandra Park. Rod Cloud, he understood, was seven years old last foaling. He was lour scars old .when ho was at wituiMs’s place. Richard Ritchie, formerly employed by 11. Rarvaclough, Biuvera, said that wlipn Barraclough returned to Bawora from the Christchurch Caster Meeting, ho was talking about Alexandra Park, and remarked that it was strange the horse had mot with tho accident ni the time he did. Wilne-ss replied that it was a coincidence, but the horse had certainly met with the accident. Witness left BaiTaolough’s employ shortly afterwards, hut did uot have, a row with him over giving evidence in the Alexandra Park case. As far as ho was concerned lie and Barraclough parted on friendly terms. Whim Ban-aciougli returned from Christchurch, he, seemed to think that Alexandra. Park had died rather quecrly. Two or three days before wh.ne.ss left Barraclough said; “If yon went on your bended knees, 1 wouldn’t believe yon if you said you saw the horse fall.” Before witness left finally, however, lie thought lie had convinced Barraduugh that lie was viglit. Barraclough asked wlial evidence witness had been giving, and witness replied that he had told tho truth and stuck to it. He did not remember Rarraclougii saying that Mr. Pollock had-told him all witness's evidence was in favour of Corrigan. Witness told Barraclough that Mr. Pollock scorned to think he was in collusion witli Corrigan. Mo was in Barraclough’s employ for about fourteen months, and knew all the horses ho had iu his charge. Alexandra Park never stopped at Barradough's stables overnight, but Adams called there to have Alexandra, 1 . Park geared up, and Bnrraclougli said when the horse came ihoro first that Adams was working the horses under his (Barradough’s) instructions. He bad never beard Barraclough give Adams instructions. Ho know that tho liorso that fell on tho track was Alexandra Park. Ho was told that was the horse’s name when he was first

piiD into training, and lie had known tho liorso since then. Ho had never known Uarraclough to give Alexandra Park a trial, but ho thought ho drove him once. Alexandra Park was going at a solid working paco when ho fell. . Bernard M’Carthy, ro-eallod, stated that at Hawera on April 17 Air. Pollock said there was no doubt that tho head produced for examination then was that of a six-year-old horse. Ho did cot in the coma? of conversation with Uarraclough state that Red Cloud bad been found. K. 11. Smith, trainer, of Belfast, was called ’by the association. He was shown a photograph of a horse, hut

said he could not recognise it. He would not try to recognise any horse by a photograph. He was at tho Hutt Valley Mooting iu January last. Ho had only seen Bed Cloud once, and that was a-„ the finish of a race in Christchurch. To his knowledge -he had not seen Red Cloud since, and would not know him if ho .saw him. While at the Hutt Malloy Meeting ho did not make any remark to Mr. Garrard about Alexandra Park being any other horse. After Alexandra park had won his first race he was talking to Mr. Garrard. Air. Paunc.ll, and, he thought, Air. Whiteman, and he made the remark; “That is a hot maiden.” ■Ho saw Plnskott there, and was with him for part of the afternoon, hut did uot see him near Alexandra Park, To Air. Corrigan: He meant that Alexandra Park was the best maiden he had ever seen in his life, and one of the best horses. He was one of the finest types of horses, and one of the greatest, crested horses he had seen. He was a horse showing breeding, and with a good carriage, cue he would never forgot. !f Air. 'Garrard said ho did make a, remark to the effect that Alexandra Park was Rod Cloud, howould emphatically deny it. Mr. Corrigan,, said he wanted the opportunity of cross-examining I). Nyhan, H. Uarraclough, vV. H. Edwards, J. W. 51‘Carty, ,1. K August-, and J„ Curran in regard to their statements about the identity of Alexandra Park. 'The President said Mr. Corrigan was quite entitled to bo given a chance of cross-examining those who l had made affidavits, and that for that purpose the inquiry would ho adjourned if necessary.

Mr, Corrigan said he wanted Adams to give evidence as to hits travels with Alexandra Park back to Hawera after the Hutt Valley Mooting.

A. E. Adams stated that lie trucked Alexandra Park back from Wellington the 1 day after the' Hutt Valley Meeting. He and JPCarthy sat together in the same horse-box mest of the way to Palmerston North, discussing trotting generally and Alexandra Park. At Palmerston he put his horses up at Woodlield’s stables, whore on the Sunday morning Alexandra Park was seen by" Mr. Woodfield .and . McCarthy amongst others. Witness exercised Alexandra Park in the afternoon, and M‘Carthy was with him, but neither in the morning nor the afternoon did he, ■say anything to .suggest that he had any suspicions about Alexandra .Park.

\V. Piaskelt. re-called. said that on his return from Wanganui to Christchurch after Red Cloud had won tho Wanganui Cup, he stopped wish ids horse at Woediieki’s stables at Palmerston North from Saturday to Monday. Wood-field saw the horse, and had a ride on. him on the Sunday, and had also ridden Rod Cloud on the Wanganui racecourse. V. C. .Hird returned to Palmerston from Wanganui with wnness, and they came on to Christchurch together. Witness and Hird were in Wanganui together, and Hird would have i leiuy of opportunities of seeing Red Cloud. He could not say whether he would know him again. Woodfield had seen, witness’s horse, and he. thought he would know him again. Ho had no idea whether McCarthy would know lied Cloud.

At this Sir. Corrigan said lie would like to cod suit lirs solicitor as to iho course he should adopt, and the president at 6.‘20 p.m. adjouvnod the further hearing of iho inquiry until 11 a,m. on Friday.

On resumin'*; on Friday, the president said that alter the board had adjourned the previous evening a letter had been received from Mr. J. H. Corrigan stating .that he would be content to let his case rest with the evidence already before the board. On being called, Air. Corrigan .said he. could not help feeding -that the members of the board had been placed in a false position as a result of misplaced confidence in the officials who had conducted the preliminary investigation, tie had heard some rumours that Iho liorso was “crook,” hub it‘was not until die had boon asked to .sign a statutory declaration as to iho identity of the liorso Alexandra Park that ho had had anything tangible to go cm. He thou got Ms solicitor.* to write to tho asso-

ciation, stating that tho fullest inquiry was courted, tie considered that the association’s officials had gone about tho inquiry m a wrong maimer, and said that the onus of proof should have been laid on him, in which case the association would have had all iho evidence (hat ho had brought forward at tho inquiry. If tho association had then not been satisfied it conk! have charged him with corrupt practices. He wrote to

D. J. Price, to whom ho had sent Alexandra Park in AJelhoumo, instructing him to giro the association all the in--1 formation in his power. He asked ih that information Jirscl been sent. The president said that no replyhad been received from Price. -Mr. Corrigan detailed the commnni•caiions that had passed between him /and while the horse was in Melbourne. Price had cabled to him that the horse had met with an accident, and would not be able to start in the -Melbourne Thousand. Price said in the cable.: •‘Champion later on. Would like to take him to Auckland.” "When the horse returned to Hawera, having been detained in Sydney lor some time' owing to the strike, he noticed a mark on one of his foro-legs, and Adams riaicL' that a light blister had been applied by Price to the injury. Mr. Corrigan then went on to speak of the accident met with by Alexandra Park on his track at Hawera. He said it seemed to ho suggested that he had not given the association sufficient notice, but after sending tho telegram announcing the accident, he received no communication from the board until four days when he informed that the assooia-’ tion’s representatives, would bo present in Hawera. Dealing with tho visit of Messrs. Mark and Pollock to Hawera, Mr. Corrigan said that when lie first mot Air. Pollock in the street, his demeanour showed that lie was biassed against him, and the remarks made by M i\ Pollock to other people in Hawera. went to confirm his impression. Ho thought that in view of tho relations between himself and Mr. Pollock over correspondence that had passed in regard to tho handicapping at ,tho Manav/atu T-C.’s meeting, Air.'Pollock would have been doing the right thing had ho asked tire association to appoint someone else to conduct the inquiry. .Mr. Denton took exception to ftections made by Atr. Corrigan on a member of the board, and the president risked him to confine- his remarks in the case itself.

Mr. Corrigan then referred to-ihe .attitude adopted by Mr. Garrard at tho Hutt Valley meeting. Ho said til at Jio had asked Mr. Garrard why he had not drawn the attention of the officials to Alexandra Park., and Mr. Garrard had replied that ho was only 'there in a private capacity, On the'other hand his solicitors had asked the Hutt ValIcyGlub for a list of the officials supervising the trotting at the club’s meeting. and had been informed that Messrs. PannolT and Garrard wereffihero representing tho associaiion-

The president said -that neither--of these gentlemen was a member of dha association. The board was not responsible, for what the club said. Mr. Corrigan, continuing, criticised the statements made in. some of the affidavits, and referred to the fact,-that most of them had not been made until a. considerable interval after tho Hntt Valley meeting. As against the affidavits of those :who said they believed Alexandra Parle was lied Olond, ho pointed out that-tlioy had tho affidavits of a number of residents of Hawera, who had seen the horse frequently—some of- them had ridden him—and ho. himself was prepared to swear that that was the horse ho had bred himself and, had had educated. Some comment had boon made on the fact that Alexandra., Park had developed his speed so rapidly,, .but such a case was not unknown, and he instanced the case of Princess,, dam of .Prince imperial. Ho suggestedto the .association that any cases .such, as the present could be x’revontcd in, future if the board adopted a uniform brand which should be used -on all logintered horses. In conclusion, he said Jig hoped 'that Hie board would arrive ai its decision as speedily as possible, because ho was anxious to have the case finally settled, for it had boon hanging over for a considerable time. He thanked the board for the patient .and impartial hearing that ho had received, and said that in one respect they had done .him a good turn, because he had made up his mind that he would novel' •race a horse again as Jong- as .he lived. Ho had spent more money than any other man in the North Island to further trotting, and his hanking account would show that for, every three pounds .he had paid-he. had-only received-about one.

A. E. Adiuiis-xaid that lie,- did motsKCO anything had been brought out that could possibly connect him with the case. He hoped that the board would arrive at a decision that day, because ho had just started in Hawera as a public trainer, and there were some horses that lie knew he could got, but auhilt' the case was unsettled he was in an awkward position. He said that if H. Barraclongh and J. W. M'Carty had had suspicions about Alexandra Hark it was strange that they hud not mentioned those suspicions to him, considering the opportunities they had had., He thought that Barradough was jealous of him starting us a- public trainer, and getting a, good horse to begin, with. He considered that some of thy witnesses who said that Alexandra Park was Heel Cloud could not have been very, observant when they stated that Alexandra Earl: raced at Hutt Valley without Iwots, whereas he wore kneo Imots there. Plaskott had stated that he. rated Red -Cloud with fcprteen or sixteen ounce shoos in front and lightshoes. Adams said that ha gaited Alexandra XWrk and raced him with tho lightest shoes that would support his foot. There were other, discrepancies in the description of tho two horses given by different witnesses. , The hoard then went into-committee to consider the case. After deliberation, tho board adjourned sine die pending tho receipt-of further information, Tho chairman and Messrs. Denton, Simes and Hayward were appointed a committee to deal with nut' evidence in the meantime*