The Dudu Protest.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 6495, 25 April 1888, Page 2

The Dudu Protest.

TO THE EDIIOB.

Sib, — The publication of the correspondence between Tattersall's and the secretary of the Wanganui Jockey Club I think goes much towards proving my protest which the W.J.C. so summardy dismissed at their last meoting, and I here give reason why. In rulo 162 it states that no one who has been warned off the course as a de&ulter or posted in the club room will be allowed to "enter or run any horse of which he is wholly or part owner for any race either in his own name or in that of any other person." The secretary of the W.J.C. admits that on the second day of the race 3Mr W. H. Keith paid £40 on account of a wager for whioh ho had been posted, therefore admitting his liability, and proving conclusively that at tho date of nominating Dudu for tho District Handicap ho was a defaulter to Mr Eopor, and the secretary of the W.J.C. was aware of such boing so by tho fact of his having accepted £40 as payment of the wager in trust for Mr Roper. Again rulp 155 distinctly states that a person Is a defaulter " until his default is cleared." Kbw, paying under protest is not settling, as whether be owed the money or not, or whether Tattoreall's were right or wrong in declaring Mr Keith a defaulter, is beaidc tho quostion. Thoro remains the hard fact that thoy had posted him, which is quite sufficient aooording to rule 155, whether Tattersalls or tho secretary are blundoring. The notice of posting boing sent or not, has nothing to do with me, as i Tattcrsall's will no doubt be able to fight their own battlo, but uvy contention is that if tho secretary did not know of Keith's posting on tho first ho did on the second day ot the races, and in common justice to all owners starting in tho District Handicap should have taken BOiue steps in tho matter. In conclusion I may state that I have •written to the Secretary of Tattprsfdl,s asking for an explanation re tha wgistered letter, it being it matter of great importance to me. By inserting this you will oblige. — I am, &o.^ P. W. Habeisq^ Wanganui, April 24, 1888. [Our correspondent is quite, outside the mark. Keith was neither disqualified nor warned off tho course, Tho contention of "Fair Play" was that ho ougrtt to have been, The correspondence shows that as no notioe was recoived from Tattersall's, it is clear ho ought not to have been. Wo are not surprisod at the correspondence being found unanswerable. Tho theory about tho registration meaning that, press copies of the letters were kept is absurd. The registering of a lotter has only one meaning. — ED.W.H.] *