CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2227, 18 April 1881, Page 3

CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB

A general meeting of the members of the Canterbury Jockey Club was held in the Commercial Hotel at 4 p.m. on Saturday. There were present—Mersrs H. Lance (in the chair) Stead, Beeves, T. Aoland, Kimbell, Delamain, W. M. Studholme, J. Studholme,

P. Westenra, J. Lance, G. Griffith, Egan, Boos, Birch, A. Wilson, Thomas, Gresson, Henderson, P. Cunningham, J. Campbell, G. Lea, 8. Qarforth, L. Harper, T. Millett, and D's. Frankish and Prins. The following new members were ballotted for and elected : Messrs O. Greenwood (Teviotdale), Ohas. Clarke, Westmaoott, and Dr. Wilkin. The Chairman said the first matters to come before them were certain disputed questions referred to the Club from Bangiora and Kaiapoi. Ho read the letters referring thereto, and took that of Bangiora first, which was as follows:

Bangiora, March 1881. Sir, —Messrs McGrath, Duncan, and myself have been appointed by tho stewards of the Bangiora Club to collect evidence concerning the Cup Bace, run at Bangiora on January Ist, and to lay the same before tho Canterbury Jockey Club, in order that they may give their decision B 8 to which horse the Cup stakes should be awarded.

Oar Secretary, Mr Aherne, was instructed to send down to Mr Griffith the horses nominated in order that he should handicap them. Mr Griffith handicapped them and handed the handicaps over to Mr Digby, who published them in the daily papers. It seems that one horse, Farewell by name, was omitted in the Cnp handicap. Mr Aherne asserts that ho sent her name down with the others, and also adds that he made a note of the fact that she had won the Maiden Plate last year at Bangiora, but had been disqualified. Both Mr Digby and Mr Griffith positively assert that no such horse was down on the list sent down by Mr Aherne. After the handicap had been made Mr Digby had unfortunately destroyed Mr Aberne’s letter, deeming it of no further use. On seeing the weights published, and noticing the omission of Farewell’s name, Mr Aherne telegraphed to Mr Digby—“ Farewell omitted in Cup handicap. Publish her weight in evenieg papers.” Mr Griffith being away Mr Digby put Bst on the mare, and published it in a local next morning. The acceptances were to be sent in on Saturday evening, December 18th, before 8 o’clock. Bandwick and other horses accepted that evening ; Farewell did not. On the same evening some few of the stewards met, and deeming Farewell’s weight excessive, altered her weight from Bst to 6st 121bs. They considered Mr Griffith had no right to depute Mr Digby to handicap without giving notice to the Bangiora Clnb, and that the weights of the whole handicap should have been sent in to the secretary before publication. Farewell did not accept until the afternoon of Monday, December 20th, two days after tho appointed time for closing the ao eptancea. Farewell won the race with fist 121bs, and the owner of Bandwick, second horse, entered a protest. By lajing the above before the C. J.O. at their next meeting, you will oblige. Signed by Messrs Lee, M’Orath and Duncan.

To the Secretary C.J.C. The Chairman said he understood that Mr Aherne, secretory to the Bangiora club, was in attendance, and that he could throw some light on the matter. Mr Aherne was accordingly admitted to tho meeting. Tho Chairman asked that gentleman to give whatever explanation he had to offer. Mr Aherne said it was merely this—that the stewards were asked to consider tho matter, and a meeting was convened for the purpose of arriving at a decision on the point in dispute. Doubtless it would then have been decided but for tho fact that tho meeting suddenly broke up, and it came to an end. Several gentlemen who did not take an active part in tho race have got up this agitation since.

The Chairman—But you do not explain why the meeting broke up. Mr Aherne —Well, a decision was about being arrived at, and it was not going the way it was wanted by certain persona. [Laughter.] The Chairman—This letter eays that Messrs McGrath, Duncan, and Lee wore appointed by the stewards. Mr Aherne —Not by the stewards of the Eangiora Club. It was afterwards. That letter has not come officially before the committee.

Mr Lee—Wo were deputed to not by a meeting of tho stewards, so that thia club might give its decision as to which horse the stakes should be awarded to. It was, in fact, by their authority we took action in the matter.

Mr Aherne remarked that the meeting called in regard to the matter broke up without a resolution being arrived at. The letter did not pass officially through him as secretary to the Rangiora club. That was what he meant.

Mr Lee —It is the wish of the stewards to have the matter decided at this meeting.

The Chairman (addressing Mr McGrath) said the letter set forth that he, with Mr Duncan and Mr Lee, was appointed to investigate this matter of tho disqualification. Was he quite clear that was undertaken at the wish and request of the stewards ? Mr McGrath—Certainly. Tho Chairman—Was it done at a meeting of the stewards ?

Mr McGrath—l was not present at the meeting, but was told by several of the members that I was deputed as one, with Mr Duncan and Mr Lee, to collect evidence in the matter.

Tho Chairman —You understood that it was the request of the stewards who mot to consider it ?

Mr McGrath—Certainly it was. The Chairman—Was tho meeting advertised or called by circular ? Mr Aheme, the secretary, says it was informal. Mr McGrath—l am not prepared to contradict him, but I think ho is wrong. The Chairman—You were not at tho meeting, I understand. Did you have notice of it ? Mr McGrath—Yes, I did. I think it was a verbal notice. After some discussion, The Chairman said there seemed little doubt but that tho second horse in the Cup was entitled to tho stakes, but that tho stewards by their action in the matter had rendered themselves liable to give it to the

first horse. It seemed a most extraordinary case. He suggested that some member should move a resolution as a test to start with. Mr Qresson proposed— 1 ' That the case be derided by this meeting.” Seconded by Mr Stead. Mr Thomas said he shonld be inclined to move, as an amendment, considering the statement before them and the fact that the stewards appeared to have altered the weights without consulting with the handicapper—- “ That this club declines to consider which is entitled to receive the money in the race.” He thought in the face of such proceedings the club could not say. The Chairman pointed out that there was another point for consideration, namely, the date of acceptance. They had a perfect right to say whether they thought it legal for a horse to accept two days after the proper time or not.

Mr Thomas: Quite so. If it is taken on that ground I will not move any amendment. The resolution was then put, and carried nevi. con.

Mr Stead moved—" That in the opinion of this club Randwick is entitled to the stakes.” Some discussion of a conversational character ensued, during which— Mr Griffith made an explanation of the circumstances out of which the handicapping of Farewell arose. The names of the horses in the first instance were sent down, and that of Farewell was not, to the best of his belief, among them. He had to go Auckland, and Mr Digby was accepted as handicap per in his absence. The latter gentleman received notice that Farewell had been left out, and he, it appears, put Sat on the horse, which was afterwards disapproved of, apparently, and altered to 6st 181bs.

Dr. Prins pointed ont that a groat point was now made clear. Aherne had sent to Digby as handicapper, in the absence of Mr Griffith.

Tho Chairman—Then the motion is, that we consider Randwick entitled to the stakes, without giving any reason. Dr. Frankish seconded the resolution. Resolution carried. Kaiapoi, March 9th, 1881. Sir.—Will you kindly obtain the ruling of the Canterbury Jockey Club oa the following questions : 1. At onr races a protest was entered against a horse as having won .£2O, which was admitted by the owner, less 5 per cent, deduction. This was considered by the committee to mean .£2O, but immediately afterwards, on referring to the C.J.C. rules, the errer was discovered. Have we the power to reconsider onr decision which was then given to allow the protest ? 2. Does entering a horse for a race, where the entries are post, under a changed name, disqualify that hor e? By getting tho decision of the C.J.C. on these two points, and forwarding it to me, you will very greatly oblige. C. E. Dudley, Secretary K.J.C. After a short discussion, Mr Studholme moved opinion of this Club the Kaiapoi Club has power to reconsider its decision.” Seconded by Mr Delamain and carried. On the next point, as to entering a horse under a changed name, It was resolved—" That in tho case of a post entry a changed name does disqualify a horse.”

A letter had been received from Greymouth asking for the decision of the Club on a question of “crossing” in a race, the case cited being that in which Whalebone and Greyhound ran at a recant meeting. The point raised in the letter was whether the leading horse had a right to close in and take the running next the rails.

The Chairman said his own idea was that they could not decide—they could only lay down the law on tho subject, and leave it for the stewards to decide as to the facts.

Mr Stead said the law was perfectly clear. There must be two clear lengths between the horses, and if crossing took place nearer, whether accidentally or wilfully, tho horse must be disqualified. Dr. Prins proposed—“ That the secretary write in answer pointing out the law on the question referred to the club.” Seconded by Mr Kimbell and carried.

Tho next question coming undsr the consideration of tho club was that of the total!sator.

The Chairman stated the position of affairs as at present existing, as to the agreement with Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin, &o.

Mr Thomas intimated that ho had received certain “ instructions ”as to impending proceedings against the club, and he would therefore retire whilst the matter was being discussed. [He left the room at this stage.) The club then went into committee to consider the subject. On resuming, tho resolutions of committee were not reported. With regard to motions given notice of by Mr Egan and Mr Griffith, the chairman suggested that they should be postponed, as the hour was late, and there was another matter of some importance demanding their attention.

The gentlemen referred to agreed to the postponement of the motions standing in their names.

[At this stage Mr Thomas ro-entored the room.] The next question before the Club was the disqualification of Mata. The chairman said he had, on the authority of the Club, written to Melbourne to ask for full particulars of the disqualification of Mata. He wrote to Lord Normanhy, who referred the letter to Captain Blandish, President of the Club, and the latter wrote, referring this club to the minutes of the proceedings in regard to the disqualification. He also explained the usual course adopted by them in all such cases. In the first place everything came before the stewards, and their decision was sent to the committee, and after that they considered nothing further necessary, or something to that effect. At the same time he said the secretary had forwarded to this club notice of motion of the stewards, as sanctioned by the committee. Ho (Mr Lance) wrote thanking Captain Blandish for his letter, at the same time stating that this club had not received any notice of motion. A reply to this was received the other day to the effect that he had laid the matter before the club, and it was decided that they would send the motion passed by their club without anything else. This was all that was known of the matter from the Victorian Club.

The resolution referred to, re the disqualification of E. Bay and Mata, was then read. It was as follows:—“That the stewards, having considered the running of the horses in the Eoyal Park Stakes on the 4th November, 1880, have decided that the jockey, E. Bay, shall be disqualified from riding or training any horse, and that the horse Mata shall be disqualified from running on the Flemington Bsceoourse.” Signed, E. O. Bagot, secretary y. 8.0. Mr Delamain—ls there not a rule that we cannot consider a disqualification case without evidence ? The Chairman—We have a rule to that effect, but I do not suppose it was contemplated that it should apply to anything outside of this colony. Mr Delamain—l merely mentioned the matter because I thought it would save a good deal of argument. Mr Gresson moved —“ That as no notice of Mata’s disqualification had been sent to this club, except at their express request, and as no satisfactory explanation was then given, they should not take any notice of it.” Mr Thomas pointed out that unless soma motion was moved on the disqualification, it could not be considered before the club.

Dr. Prins supported Mr Grcsson’s motion. He pointed out that Mr Bay had for some time been in an undecided state in consequence of the Victorian disqualification, and unless something was done at this meeting he would have to remain in that uncomfortable frame of mind till the next meeting of this club.

Mr Egan thought it was desirable that something should bo done, for the reasons just urged. Mr Kimhell—l rather think, Mr Chairman, you wore asked to write officially to Victoria to got all the particulars you could in the matter.

The Chairman —I did j I wrote ns chairman of the club.

Same further discussion took plaeo, in which Mr Q-rerson’s motion was criticised and amended. Ultimately it was passed in the following form :—“ That as the Victorian Racing Club have declined to furnish the evidence taken upon the disqualification of Mata and R Ray, on the ground that it is contrary to their rules, the Canterbury Jockey Club cannot, according to rule 25 of their rules, endorse the disqualification.” It was suggested that a copy of the 0.J.0. rules be sent to the Victorian Racing Club. Mr Stead g"-vo notice of motion that no member of tho jclub be permitted to vote till his subscriptions are paid. The meeting then adjourned.