THE “ETHEL” ENQUIRY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 452, 23 March 1899, Page 8

THE “ETHEL” ENQUIRY.

The adjourned meeting of the Masterton Racing Club to consider the evidence taken in connection with the “ Ethel ” enquiry was held on March 8 at the Club Hotel. The Wairarapa Star reports as follows : —Present —Messrs F. Hill, C. Vallance, W. Wardell, J. Macara, A. A. Elkins, W. Irons, J. Cruickshank, A. W, Cave. C. A. Pownall, J. Ewart, H. Yates, W. Watson, and D. McLachlan. Mr A. W. Cave was in the chair, and asked that the stewards should not be biassed in their opinion by the evidence they had heard, but to give fair and impartial consideration to all the facts. Mr Thomas Duncan, secretary, then gave a carefully compiled resume of all the evidence taken and detailed the facts in an able manner. Mr Cave thought that the secretary should en quire further into the nomination of Onawai and who was R. Henry who nominated her. He did not think the evidence was sufficient to comect R. S Henry with the nomination. He would not be one to convict Henry on the evidence given. He would like further evidence, although he was satisfied that Henry was connected with the ringing-in. Mr Hill was of the opinion that Henry was at the bottom of the whole thing. He would move “ that Richard Samara Henry should be disqualified for life.” Mr J. Ewart: I second that; I think he deserves it. Mr Pownall agreed in a sense with Mr Hill’s proposition. He did not think he was called upon to move an amendment. The opinion he had formed during the enquiry was that “ Ethel” had been rung-in at Ashburton as Virgil, and that Henry was connected with the conspiracy. But the question was, was' he concerned in tli-> Masterfuu ‘ ringing m ’ which they were en-

quiring into. He was not at all sure but that they should first refer all the evidence to : Ashburton, and ask the club t here to- deal with.tlie •matter as concerning Virgil. He was sure that Henry was connected with Onawai. What, they ? had to decide was whether Henry was connected with 'Ethel when she ran in Masterton. The evidence of his connection with the animal that . had been secured by the stewards ended on Wellington wharf. In his opinion the wisest course to pursue was not to come to a decision in the “ Ethel ” ease, but to call upon the Ashburton Club to take the matter up as regards Virgil, and do their duty, as the evidence was so strong. When the Ashburton Club had come to a decision as regards Virgil, the Masterton stewards could then decide what to do with Henry in his relation . to Ethel. Mr F. HUI thought that Mr Pownall was wrong in saying that Henry’s connection with Ethel ended on the Wellington wharf, as he backed both Ethel and Sleeper in Auckland. Henry said that when in Timaru he heard rumors that Virgil had been rung in at Ashburton, yet - he shipped her to Wellington. Mr Macara thought that the matter should be referred to the Ashburton Club. Mr Pownall was of the opinion that they had better ask the chairman of the Racing Conference or the Metropolitan Club if they should refer the matter to the Ashburton Club or deal with it themselves. If they could get Henry convicted by the Ashburton Club, it would be much better, as the evidence of that affair was so much stronger. ' . Mr Hill then withdrew his motion and Mr Pownall moved, seconded by Mr Macara, and carried, “ That the chairman of the Racing Conference be asked to advise this club as to whether : —Assuming that this club is of opinion that the mare “ Ethel ” (really Cupid) was “ rung in ” at Ashburton as Virgil, and that Mr R.S. Henry was connected with such ringing in, ought this club deal with the matter or ought it to be referred to the Ashburton Club to deal with, and all evidence forwarded to them ; and that, in the meantime, until the answer of the chairman is obtained; this club’s decision in the matter of the ‘Ethel’ case and Henry’s connection with it, be suspended.” . • - ' . \ Mr Pownall then referred to the lad Cundy, who was cautioned as to his connection with the case. Mr Pownall thought that after the evidence of the jockey Reed, it was shown that * Cundy had more to do with the matter than was at first supposed, as Cundy gave Beed ■ his instructions how to ride “ Ethel,” and also told him to keep in the jockeys’ room until wanted. He thought Cundy’s case should be considered again. Mr Ca’ve thought that Cundy had been dealt with too leniently, and that he should? now be disqualified. Mr Pownall said he was not prepared to move at that meeting that Cundy should be disqualified, but it was irritating to know that Cundy was training Donald’s horses, and also running them in his own name. The horses, Voltaire, Whario, and Valkyrie, it was said, Cundy has taken over under a bailment. It was hard to say whether Cundy was not only a tool of Donald’s.Mr Ewart thought that the caution given Cundy was quite sufficient. It was decided to leave the matter open for. the present. [Lt will be seen from our Turf Topics that Sir George Clifford has advised the Masterton Club to deal with Henry’s case.—Ed. S.R.J