Under the Ban.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 161, 19 July 1901, Page 2

Under the Ban.

LEGISLATORS WHO CAN BE ORDERED OFF RACECOURSES.

By Telegraph—Tress Association. Wellington, last night.

A deputation, comprising Sir Maurice O’ltorko, Hons. Harris and Jennings, Messrs Lawry, Napier and Witheford, waited on Sir Joseph Ward to-night in connection with a resolution passed by the Racing Conference. Sir Maurice explained that under a rule passed by the Conference last year he, as President of the Auckland Trotting Club, was placed under ban of disqualification. Mr Lawry said tho rule was an absolutely arbitrary one, as Racing Clubs had no alternative but the disqualification, not only of Sir Maurice O’Eorke, but lie (Mr Lawry) as vicc-Prcsident. Messrs Harris, Jennings and Massey could be ordered oil any course in the colony, as though they were spielers and blacklegs. lie pointed out that tho clubs had so far never notified them that they were disqualified, but they had notified the paid officials of tho Auckland Trotting Club. Sir Joseph Ward, in reply, said lie had no previous knowledgo that such a state of things existed. Ho realised that the programmes of the Trotting Clubs wore passed by a body just us duly constituted as the Racing Conference. Ho would make full enquiry into the matter, and hoped that some satisfactory arrangement would bo made.