REAY'S DISQUALIFICATION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 268, 20 March 1873, Page 5

REAY'S DISQUALIFICATION.

(To the Editor.) Sib, — In your issue of the 13th inst. yon stated that the " Secretary of the Tuapeka Jockey Club sent a letter containing full particulars of the disqualification of Keay to Mr. Philp, one of the stewards of the Tokomairiro races." From your remarks, anyone unacquainted with the facts of the case would at once conclude that I was possessed of the necessary information, and withheld the same from the Tokomairiro stewards for the purpose of favoring Reay. In justice to mj-self, I will here state the eircumskinces in connection with this most unpleasant affair. I telegraphed to Mr. Hayes (as a private individual, the same as I woul'l have to-any one else whom I thought could give the information I wanted), to send me full ! particulars regarding iteay's disqualification. Mr. Hayes, in his reply, addressed me not as a steward but as a private individual, and signs himself plain Wra. Hayes, not as Secretary to the Tuapeka Jockey Club. And what does this famous letter contain ? Nothing but a promise that full particulars will be sent. In the P-.s. he Bay 3 that lieay lias been disqualified, «fee, &c. ; but there is not one word as to what he was disqualified for. The whole letber is simply this : an acknowledgment of my telegram and a promise that my request would be attended to ; but which promise was nover fulfilled. I showed the letter to several of the stewards, and all wejre of one opinion that the letter would not warrant me in bringing the matter before our stewards ; but that there was no doubt that our Secretary would be communicated with in the usual way (and the only proper one, which the Secretary of the T.J.C. must have known). At our last meeting prior to the races, I was considerably surprised to hear from our Secretary that no communication had been received fiom your club ; in fact, 1 felt that the stewards of the Tokomairiro races had been slighted, seeing that the Dunedin Jookey Club had received an official communication and we had been left out in the cold. I may state here that I was the mover of the resolution expressing regret, &c. ""The whole difficulty lays with your Secretary, who did not communicate with the proper party — viz., our Secretary; not did he keep his promise to me. The first time I saw or heard •of the particulars of this case wa3 on the day after our last meeting, and on our first day's races. There was a great difference of opinion here as to whether Reay was ju3tly disqualified or not. I thought he was so, hence my wish to get particulars ; but, iv justice to. Reay, I may state that some gentlemen here, including some of the Tokomairiro stewards, and who claim to have been close to where the running off the course took place, say that, in their opinion, Reay could not avoid it, as he had not sufficient command over his horse. Hoping you will find sufficient room for the above in your next issue, — I am, &c, W. L. Philp. P.S. — I enclose Mr. Hayes' letter, which I wish you to publish, as follows- : — Lawrence, Feb. 20th, 1873. Mr. W. L. Philp, Dear Sir, — I received your telegram yesterday relative to. the disqualification of Keay, The '♦ Tuapeka^ Times " of to-morrow will contain full particulars ; if not, printed proofs will be out on Friday, one of which I will forward you.. The evidence, &c, was very lengthy, or I would have sent it now.— Yours faithfully, ¥m. Hayes. Keay has been disqualified from ever running or riding a horse on the Tuapeka pace course. • W.H.