NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 313, 23 July 1896, Page 8

NOTES.

By

Fritz.

McMillan, a trotting trainer, hailing from the late Senator Stanford’s “ ranch” in California, has two or three horses in training at Middle Park, Riccarton. The Auckland Trotting Club has sent a delegate to the conference of trotting clubs, to be held in Wellington during Steeplechase week. The adjourned special meeting of the North Island Trotting Association will also probably be held at Wellington, after hearing what the Conference has to say. It must not be construed that by sending a delegate to this Conference that the Auckland club has any intention of supporting one association for both islands. The North Island Association will be supported in every way, but the latter association will no doubt, at their annual meeting in August, propose that there should be reciprocity between the Canterbury Trotting Club (as the recognised head of trotting in the South) and the N.I.T.A. At the last meeting of the N orth Island association, a notice was tabled in this direction, and met with general favour, but as formal notice of motion had not been made according to the redes, it could not be taken into consideration at that meeting. Again, if it had not been for the rales precluding the carrying of a resolution straight ? away, the clubs of the North Island Association would have been the first to bracket on the totalisator two or more horses belonging to the same owner, as a motion wa* tabled to that effect and so well received that it is sure to be carried at the next meeting. The Johnsonville Trotting Club has received 65 acceptances for the six events at the meeting to be held to-day. The club has also decided to hold a second days trotting to-morrow (Friday), giving £BO in stakes for six events. The stewards of the Wellington Trotting Club were on Monday in the Supreme Court as defendants in a case brought by J. D. Craig, farmer, of the Upper Hutt, who claimed £2OO as damages for disqualification of himself and his trotting horse, Ned Kelly, which came in first in the Wellington Trotting Club Handicap, run at Miramar Park Meeting on January 23rd last. The disqualification was made on the ground of the horse’s' alleged inconsistent running, at a previous (Johnsonville) meeting, and plaintiff contended that besides losing the stakes and totalisator dividend, his horse was prevented from taking part in the race that was to follow. Mr Skerrett, for the def "nee, raised an objection to the case proceeding, on the ground that the statement of claim did not disclose any cause of action unless it was for prize money, in which the plaintiff was debarred by section 73 of the Gaming Act from recovering, or for improper ■- disqualification, in which case no allegation was made of misconduct on the part of the stewards. The Chief Justice said that there was nothing to show there was any contract, and unless there was an allegation that defendant’s conduct was malicious, he did not see how the claim could be supported. Ultimately, Mr Wilford, for the plaintiff, accepted leave to amend his claim on these terms, and the case was adjourned until next sitting. . / 7 '

The Canterbury Trotting Club, on the 13th inst., brought an action in the Christchurch Magistrates Court against two bookmakers ( ? ), E. Downey and J. Randall, for trespassing on the Show Grounds, on the 21st May. It appears Downey had a horse trotting at the meeting, but the club having decided to exclude all bookmakers, Downey was informed that, although tickets would be given for his trainer, he himself would not be admitted. However, it seems that Downey got on the course, and hence the action. His Worship said, in his opinion, the defendant was a trespasser from the beginning, as he knew before he went that he was not wanted on the course. Tie gave judgment for the plaintiffs for 40s and costs (31s). In a similar case, brought by the club against J. Randall, judgment was given for the plaintiff for 40s and costs (415.)