OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 70, 26 November 1891, Page 2

OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB.

A meeting of the Otahuhu Trotting Club took place at the British Hotel, Auckland, on Friday afternoon, and created considerable interest. This was an adjourned meeting from Otahuhu the previous week, which was unavoidably postponed on account of the absence of Mr. A. Harris and several of the stewards from the district. On that occasion Mr. Baume, solicitor, was present on behalf of Mr. Mfood, the owner of Despised, to claim the second money in the Railway Handicap, on account of the disqualification of Cupid, who was second, and Pica third, Red Rose having won the race. The stewards decided at the Otahuhu meeting not to admit Mr. Baume, who was very energetic in urging his claim to be present, and refused to leave the room, whereupon the stewards took the alternative and went upstairs, only to adjourn themselves to the above date. Mr. Baume was again present, and made an eloquent speech on behalf of his client and his letter which he had presented for consideration. The chairman, Mr. A. Harris, J.P., requested him to retire, saying that he would receive every 1 courtesy. Our representative was allowed to remain. The minutes of the two previous meetings were read and approved of by those who were present. Mr. Atkinson (chairman of the Otahuhu Road Board), who is a steward, certified to their correctness. A large amount of evidence was taken after the owners of all the ponies in question had been admitted. Mr. Wood, who is registered for racing purposes under the name of Mr. T. Malone, stated that previously he only claimed the second money in the Railway Handicap in ignorance that Red Rose was owned by Mr. W. J. Greenwood, who was disqualified. He now claimed the first money in both the Railway Handicap and the Pony Hurdles. A great deal of evidence of a most conflicting character was taken, but which went clearly to show that the horse Pica was ridden out and did not in any way interfere with any other horse in the race, although his rider (A. Greenwood) was shown to have called out several times to Geach, the rider of Cupid, to “ block him, Tom ” — meaning Vampire. The evidence taken is too voluminous for insertion in any one issue with the space at our disposal, although we may use it from time to time, as occasion requires. Great care was taken by the chairman and stewards to clearly elict every detail in connection with the affair, and after nearly an hour’s consideration the meeting adjourned till last evening at the Star Hotel, Otahuhu. . The report of the proceedings will appear in onr next issue.