THE MULTIPLY DECISION.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1304, 22 April 1915, Page 8

THE MULTIPLY DECISION.

In its judgment relating to the appeal by the Gisborne Racing Club against the decision of the Hawke’s Bay District Committee, on appeal by Mr. A. B. Williams, owner of Multiply, against the decision of a committee of the Gisborne Racing Club distancing Multiply for the Gisborne Racing Club Handicap, run on February 6, the Racing Conference Committee was of opinion that the committee of the Racing Club which distanced Multiply was not properly constituted, and had no power to act as the judicial committee for the race meeting at which such horse ran. The club committee had, therefore, no power to disqualify Multiply under Rule 2, Part XXVI. The committee adds: —

“Our decision in no way conflicts with the decision of the judge in the appeal from the decision of the Tapanui Racing Club. In that case a judi-

c:al committee for the particular meeting was properly elected; and was capable of hearing and determining the dispute. It miscarried only because a person who was not in fact a member of the judicial committee was allowed to take part in its hearing and decision. We recommend that an amendment to the Rules of Racing be made somewhat on the following lines: —When the decision of any judicial committee, or any committee purporting to act as a judicial committee, is invalid or void upon the ground that such committee was not duly appointed, or upon some ground affecting the election or appointment of its members, or any of them, then, and in such case, the District Committee shall have power, subject to appeal in manner provided by the rules, either:—• (a) Itself to hear and determine the objection, question, or dispute involved in the decision; or (b) to refer back such objection, question, or dispute to a judicial committee to be thereafter elected in manner provided by the rules to determine the same or any other dispute so referred to them.”