SPORTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10442, 23 April 1912, Page 3

SPORTING.

NEW ZEALAND T HOT TING ASSOCIATION.

A special meeting oi t-lio New Zealand Trotting Association whs hold this afternoon; present—Messrs I'. Selig (president), C. S. Mowoll, W. H. Denton, J. 11. Pollock, C. F. Mbrk, W. 0. Garrard and It. O. Duncan. Apologies for absenco were received from -Messrs W. J. Gore and H. I'\ Kicoil. The president said tho meeting was called <o consider an appeal from At. Edwards against the disqualification of himself and. tlia horse Dillon Bell by tho stewards of tho New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club oil the ground of interference and foul driving in tho High Class Handicap at the club's Easter meeting. The evidence in the ease, as taken by the stewards, was road. I Tho chairman said ho considered tho had been decided on a question of fact raid that there could be no appeal. The only point lie bud in mind was whether the club had adopted tho proper procedure. So far n.3 he could see it had done so, although the wity in which the case had been stated might not have been as full as it might have been.

Mr Pollock said an far as the evidence before the stewards? was concerned, it w*» one man's word against another. He took strong exception to the manner in which the case had been put before the Association. Tha Kules of Trotting provided for the appointment. of patrol steward?, but it seemed as if fhero hadi been ivono in this case, or if there were any they had not been called ou to give evidence. Ho claimed that the stewards on tho stand could not see what happened in a race. In any case, they should bans had the evidence of the patrol stewards. With rcfiud to the question of fact, it wo.s nob shown clearly that it was a question of fact.

Mir Mark said he was aorry to see tho stand taken up by Mr Pollock. When meeting: of stewards were held opinions were frequently expressed and decisions come to unanimously wore given as the decisions of the whole body. It would be rather ridiculous to expect overv word spoken liv a steward at an inquiry to bo taken down aa evidence.

The president thought the Association must accept tho statements of tile stewards as to what, they saw. He ruled that the case camo under the heading of a question of fact, and the only matter to bo decided vra.s if the ca.se was otherwise in order. With regard to patrol stewards, he Tead a. IcttcT from tho secretary of the club stating that patrol stewards had been on the track, but on being called they had stated that they were not in a position to seo any of the incidents complained of. In accordance with the ruling of the president, it was decided that the appeal of M. Edwards could not be considered. Mr Denton, a member, and Mr Duncan, an official of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, took no part in the discussion of the case. An application from . SI. Edwards for permission to go on racecourses up to May 31 was refused. The Board then proceeded to discuss ordinary business, The action of the president in approving of the appointment of Mr Jesse Stean as advisory steward to the Westlard Trotting Club was confirmed. It, wits decided to consider notices of motion for the trotting conference at the n#xt meeting of the Association. The Foreign Horse Committee, recommended that a certificate should be issued for Law Chimes, subject to tho receipt of a statutory declaration, Tho report was adopted. The Licensing Committee recommended that a, number of applications for licenses should bo granted, that of George Wilkinson with a caution; and that the application of G. B. Murfitt should be refused. The committee recommended that a, sum of £l2, out of tho Provident Fund, should be voted to W. Anderson as compensation for his accident. The leport was adopted.