JOCKEYS' APPEALS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 244, 9 July 1920, Page 9

JOCKEYS' APPEALS

.EIGHT TO RETAIS COUNSEL. 'An interim judgment has been given by Messrs. George Hunter, M.P., O. P.'Skerrett. K. 0., anil E. A. Campbell, judges 'appointed by the New Zealand Racing Conference, in the' matter of the appeals by L. H. Hewitt, J. B. O'Bhea, and.E. O. itae, jockeys, against the decision of the Auckland District Committee in sußDend•lug their licenses for the remainder of the Season in connection with, certain alleged breaches of the rules of racing. .The judgment Is as follows:— "When the judges met to hear the above appeal, the secretary .of the Racing Conference placed before them communications from the appellants; in which they stated their determination not to leave Auckland for the purpose of attending the hearing of the appeals until tho judges deoided whether or not they would be permitted the use of an 'advocate' at tho hearing. It was stated that the .appellants considered their powers lisadequae to represent their cases'. properly."'** tho hearing. '■•. : ■ , "It has 'hot ,been the praotice. hltherfo to allow counsel to represent either party at the hearing-of appeals before judges appointed by the president of the' Racine Conference. The.present judges are of. opinion -that the praotice ;.has been a proper l and salutary one; and neither oarty. has Buffered bv its adoption in having his case adequately presented and', carefully considered by judges. "They are loth to depart from this wellrecognised procedure, and do so-'upon the distinot understanding that It shall not form a precedent for the procedure of hearing future appeals. They have deoided in these, cases to permit the appellants to be represented by counsel on the hearing of these appeals for the sole reason that in the abnormal conditions which have arisen, they desire to make impossible any suggestion that the annel-' lants were unable to adcauately present their case before them.. The' judges wish to make it clear that the counsel .permitted to appear must be a barrister or solicitor of the Supremo Court repreieMlne only the appellants: and the hearing will be confined strictly, to the question whether the appellants or any of them have been riehtlV' adjudged to have committed the .offences against the Rules of Racing tho subject of the above decisions and have been rightly punished for such offences. ■"It follows from the permission given to the appellants to ba represented by counsel that the respondents will have a similar right. "The hearing of tho appeals will therefore bo adjourned to Wednesday, July 21, at 10.30 a.m., at the Accountants' Chambers, Johnston Street. Wellington."