ALLEGED TURF SWINDLING.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7684, 6 February 1904, Page 5

ALLEGED TURF SWINDLING.

Admission by One of the Accused.

At the hearing of the charges in connection with the alleged recent racing frauds at Bulls, at the Wellington S.M. Court, yesterday, Frederick Perrin, of the Post and Telegraph Department, said he went to Greatford on January 6th to make investigations about certain telegrams sent from there five days previously. The Greatford Post Office should not have been open on January Ist. "Witness produced eleven telegrams handed in at Greatford for transmission on the day mentioned in the informations. "Witness told accused Shrimpton that serious irregularities had taken place. After making certain verbal admissions, Shrimpton made a statement in writing as follows :—" Mr Nolan handed in two telegrams for Wellington at 9 a.m., and said that more messages would be sent later on in the morning, and asked me to get them away. Subsequently the other messages were received and forwarded as per time shown on messages. The time shown as the handed-in times were not the times the messages were actually received. These messages were received about 2.30, and were forwarded about 3.30. I was requested to time these messages so that they would appear to have been handed in before certain races were run. When making the arrangement to get messages away, I had no idea the senders would carry the matter to the extent they did; but having promised, I felt in duty bound to do what I could. Personally, I had not; the slightest interest in the matter, financially or otherwise, and cannot now understand what made me make such a foolish promise. In view of this frank statement of the facts, I trust that the Department will deal as leniently as possible with me. I had nothing to gain by accepting messages. In making this statement I am doing it voluntarily, and not on account of any threats or promises made.

David Boss, turf commission agent, Wellington, said he knew accused Nolan. On January Ist he received the following wires purporting to come from him : —" Five pounds Ballarat FJying Handicap, T. Nolan." " Five pounds Blesa Bok, Maiden Hack, T. Nolan." Had he paid out on the races it would have cost him over £80. Matthew Barnett, of the firm of Barnett and Grant, turf commission agents at Christchurcb, stated his firm received two telegrams on January Ist, purporting to come from "W. Jeckelton." The wires were as .follows:—" Ten pounds Ballarat, Flying Handicap, W. Jeckelton." "Ten pounds Bless Bok, Maiden Hack, W. Jeckelton." His firm would have suffered a loss of j>4s had it paid out on Ballarat. He did not know what the payments on Bless Bok would have amounted to. William Scott, of Scott and Martindale, turf commission agents, carrying on business in Wellington, said that at the races at Bulls, on January Ist, the Flying Handicap was won by Ballarat, and the Maiden Hack by Bless Bok. On the afternoon of the day in question witness received four telegrams (produced) after the advertised time of starting the races mentioned. The telegrams were as follows :—" Maiden Hack, ten Bless Bok, J. Walker." "Flying Handicap, ten Ballarat, J. E. Walker." " Ten pounds Bless Bok, Maiden Hack, T. Nolan." " Ten pounds Ballarat, Flying Handicap, T. Nolan." Had witness paid out on the races it would have cost his firm over £100. He had had previous transactions with Walker and Nolan. and Shrimpton pleaded guilty, and were remanded to the Supreme Court for sentence.]