LITTLE RIVER RACES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 383, 6 April 1880, Page 3

LITTLE RIVER RACES.

To the Editor of the Aharoa Mail

Sin,—l notice a letter, signed by the worthy President of the Peninsula Jockey Club, which, to say the least of it, shows very bad taste on his part to mention anything about any person's calling, bhclj as tinker, tailor, blacksmith, &c. In conclu-. sion, the excuse, re the stewards' decision, is about the lamest affair I have ever read, and is no credit to any of those gentlemen whom Mr Shadbolt takes such pains to parade in print, so that we may know who they are. 1 may say I have attended a good many of the Peninsula races, and have never yet seen one carried out without some swindling going on amongst the owners of horses, and, as far as I can ccc, most of the race meetings resolve themselves into a public house draw; where for a day or two afterwards a good deal of hard drinking is indulged in by those who should know better. I remain, YTours &c, POURI KOIHO. To the Editor of the Aharoa Mail. Sib,— Having read a letter J. H. Wallace, re the Hack Race at the late races, allow me, as Secretary, to deny having held any conversation whatever with Mr Grant on the subject, and also that the protest was entered by one of the stewards, who will be prepared to stand or fall by the evidence he can produce, and I did not propose the race to be run over again. The stewards have at times a very unpleasant duty to perform, and cannot always give satisfaction to every one ; but I must say that the riding and conduct of J. H. Wallace was the subject of remark by many people on the course, and, according to C.J.C, rules, he ought to be disqualified from riding on any racecourse after the exhibition he gave at the above mentioned races, his conduct in riding in the Publican's Purse being now the subject of enquiry by the stewards. In fact, in the two races that he rode a protest has been entered in each case. As it is not my intention to enter upon any paper war over the affair, this will be the only communication from me on the subject.—lam, Sir, Yours, &c, WM. BIRDLING, Jun. [This correspondence must now cea&o. — Ed. A. M.]