SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 3251, 22 July 1873, Page 3

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

THE PEERESS CASE. [By Telegraph,] The whole correspondence respecting the Peeress case, together with a resume of the facts connected with the purchase and scratching of the mare, are published, under a resolution of the Canterbury Jockey Club, in the Christchurch papers. The correspondence contains seven exhibits. It opens with a notice from Mr Redwood to the Secretary of the Jockey Club that Peeress had been sold to Mr Walters. Next comes Mr Walters’s official scratching of Peeress for the Cup. Mr Walters’s letter of 19 th May to the Jockey Club follows, asking that the disqualification of the mare be removed. This is followed by another letter from Mr Walters, dated 20th May, in which he details the scheme for the purchasing of Peeress, entered into between certain bookmakers and himself. The bookmakers gave Mr Redwood LSOO cash, Mr Walters giving an acceptance at fourteen days for L3OO, and the bookmakers receiving an acknowledgment of the LSOO, which was held by them till the mare was made safe for the Cup. Mr Walters got possession of the mare by subsequently retiring the acceptance for LSOffi The following letter has so important a bearing on the case as to be deserving of being published in full;—“fi7th May,_ 1873. To the Canterbury Jockey Club, Christchurch. Gentlemen--In accordance with your request, I beg to make the following* statement with regard to the notorious Peeress case On Tuesday, the sth November last, on entering Tattersall’s at two o’clock p.ra., I was struck with the evident desire of certain bookmakers to lay against Peeress for the Cup, and back her for the Plate. lat once spoke to Mr J. A, Douglas,

a member of our Club, who I knew had as well as myself been backing Peeress, and we came to the conclusion that the ring had made the mare safe for the Cup. We left the room, and while walking down street, met our honorary secretary, Mr E. G. Griffith, After some discussion, we ultimately decided to endeavor to purchase Peeress for LBOO, and run her for the Cup ourselves. We deputed Mr Douglas to see Mr Redwood at once on the subject. About three o’clock Mr Douglas returned from an interview with Mr Redwood, and told me that he (Mr Redwood) affected to be highly indignant at the offer, saying that as the mare was sold so shortly before the races the public would make unpleasant remarks, and he would not sell her at any price. During the afternoon the conduct of the bootmakers further confirmed our suspicions that something was wrong. We decided to make another effort to have Peeress run on her merits. We then authorised Mr Bird to offer L9OO for her, on the understanding that we could remove her to Mr Webb's stables immediately. About si* o’clock Mr Bird informed me that he had submitted the offer ; but Mr Redwood still stated the mare would bo run on her merits, and he would not sell her until after the races were over. At 8.30 the same evening I met Mr Redwood at Tattcrsall’s, and after some pressing he said, ‘ I received a telegram from Auckland this morning, and another from Greymouth, asking my price for Peeress. I have replied to that from Auckland, and put her under offer till eight o’clock this evening.’ I remarked ‘lt is now past eight o’clock,’but he replied, saying, *ho did not wish to be too particular for half an hour.’ I then asked him if it was a friend of Mr Walters’s who had telegraphed. He replied, *to the best of my belief he has no connection with Mr Walters,’ I then asked if it was in connection with the Ellis’s, the Auckland bookmakers. He again answered in the negative, saying, ‘To the best of my knowledge the gentleman who wants her will run her for the Cup.’ I was far from satisfied, and pressed him not to part with her unless to some one who he knew would run her honestly, as otherwise it would do our races a very serious injury. He stoutly denied anything wrong, and reiterated his previous statement that she was not yet sold, no reply having sq far- been received tq lus telegram, While still conversing with hiriti Mr R. M. Morton joined us, and asked Mr Redwood what was wrong with Peeress. The reply was, *N thing as far as I*know. I have not sold her, and she is as well as ever she was.’ Within \alf-an hour of my leaving him, he walked i .to Tertersall’s, and said aloud, ‘ I have so 1 1 Peer ■iss to Mr Walters, and let you all ki ow at nee that I have nothing more to do with hep.’ I then sought out Mr "Walters, and un>ed him to run her fairly for the Cup, as otherwise public opinion would be very strong against him. He said he had not decided what he would run her for at present. I said, ‘lf money is your object, rather than have her scratched we will give you a sum down to run her honestly. ’ He remarked, ‘ I will think it over.’ Shortly afterwards he saw Mr Griffith and officially scratched her, (Signed) Gbo. Stead, Hon. Treasurer, C.J.0.”