NO APPEAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17272, 12 February 1924, Page 7

NO APPEAL.

DISQUALIFICATION OF A DRIVER. CASE BEFORE TROTTING ASSOCIATION. “ WRONG KIND OF LETTER.” The disqualification recently imposed by the Manawatu Trotting Club on A. .1. Corrigan, the driver of Oakhampton, for alleged interference with Lady Zoe’ was discussed at this morning’s meeting of the board of the New Zealand Trotting Association. The president (Mr P. Selig) said he did not intend to bring the case up. but Mr J. R. Corrigan (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 be 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 iri the meeting. The president said he proposed to read the letters received from Mr Corrigan and also the communications rogarding'the matter from the Manawatu Trotting Club. 31 r Corrigan had made a statement to the speaker the previous day that since his arrival in this city lie (Mr Corrigan) had been accused of backing Eulius for £3OO when Eulius won at Gisborne recently. Mr Corrigan stated that he did not back Eulius on that occasion, and he thought the matter should be cleared up by the association. The other matter he referred to was that some doubts had been cast on the l.ona fides of King Lear, a horse ho had given away. He also asked that this matter should he cleared up. Mr Selig added that ho told Mr Corrigan that the association was not dealing with matters of this kind and that a lot of people would ihave to answer questions later on. The president expressed the opinion that the Manawatu Club's decision was made on a question of fact. He had no doubt that there was no appeal whatever. 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. I think we had better hear the evidence in the case. The report of the inquiry held by the Manawatu Trotting Club on January 17 regarding the driving of Oakhampton by A. J. Corrigan was read. The decision was that A. J. Corrigan should be suspended for twelve months. Both A. J. Corrigan and J. R. Corrigan (owner of Oakhampton) had lodged notices of appeals, and the report of the evidence at the inquiry was heard. The committee considered there was no right of appeal in the case. According to the evidence on which the decision was made, the driver of Oakhampton interfered with Lady Zoe, who was driven by TT. J. YVoodfield, 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 J. R. Corrigan, asking to he heard by the board. Mr Selig again expressed the opinion that there was no appeal. Mr Denton: Is that wise? We’re wasting time now. The president: I hardly think so. Ml* Corrigan says that the procedure at the inquiry was wrong, and we have to be satisfied that the procedure was right. Personally, T think the rules of the club were complied with. Mr Corrigan, sen., however, says he was not given a chance of being heard, but his son could have called him if he wished to do so. Mr R. 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 Mr A. G. Mabee, the stipe ndiai*3' steward. Mr R YY . Short moved that the ac tion of the Manawatu Trotting Club in suspending A. J. Corrigan for twelve months be endorsed, and that Mr J. R. Corrigan he not heard by the board. The motion was carried unanimously. YY ith reference to the other matters mentioned by Mr J. R. Corrigan, the hoard decided that it could not do anything on 31 r Corrigan’s behalf at present.

Later in the meeting, the president said that a letter had been received from 31r C. E. Giesen. secretary of the North Island Tiotting 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 text of the letter was as follows . “ I have been instructed to forward to you a copy of the following resolution that was passed by my committee: That the Trotting Association be asked to give favourable consideration to the appeal (which we understand has been lodged) by 31 r A. Corrigan in regard to the penalty imposed on him bv the Manawatu Trotting Club. Several of our members who witnessed the race are strongly of opinion that no offence was committed hv Air Corrigan, the interference, if any, being quite unintentional, and consequently the punish ment being too severe.’ In regard to the foregoing, the club is to be commended for taking action in any case in which it is considered a breach of the rules has taken place or in regard to any matter detrimental to the sport, but we submit that usually a fine ha© been the penalty for a case of this sort, unless it was a case of deliberate inter ference. From our knowledge of M.Corrigan, we do not think such could be so. and if your association can see its way to restore to 3Tr Corrigan his license we think you would he doing the correct thing under* the circum” stances.” ” Had there been an appeal before this hoard, 1 would not have lead this letter until after it had been decided,” remarked the president. “ 1 consider the letter very wrong and very impertinent. and that the members of the association have quite mistaken thenvocation in this matter.” So far as the statements in the letter about it being usual to impose fines in such cases were concerned. Mr Selig added, ho had looked through the reports of the sti pendiary stewards, and he had been amazed at the number of charges brought up at the club meetings. Sonic of them were very serious charges, and he was pleased to know that clubs were now taking a more serious stand. It seemed quite time that the clubs ap plied the rules more drasticallv. (Hear hear.) Referring again to the letter from the NortTi Island Trotting Owners' am! Breeders’ Association. 3lr Selig said it was very uncalled for, and was sirnplv an attempt to try and influence the board as one might try and influence a Alagistrate. He consideredt-haf the hoard should carry a resolution informing the association that they had done something tantamount to contempt of

Court, and that they he warned against sending such letters in the future. 3lr Denton said lie thought it was the general wish of the members of the board that a resolution should be passed. A member : It should bo very drastic. Mr Selig said he . hoped he had the support of all the members in the matter. Atomizers: Wc are all unanimous in the matter. 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 hoard’s decision in regard to the 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.”