NORTH CANTERBURY RACE COMMITTEE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2235, 27 April 1881, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY RACE COMMITTEE.

A meeting was held at Roberts’ Junction Hotel on Tuesday evening. After waiting for someone, whom the members appeared anxious to see, till 9.15 p.m., the meeting was opened. Captain Parsons (president) in the chair. Present--Messrs Roberts, Hossaok, Hanna, Wheeler, McGrath, Cone, and Duncan.

Tho minutes of last mooting were con firmed.

Tho chairman reported that the horn secretary was absent for reason stated in tho following letter, though ho considered that Mr Ahcrne might have arranged to call this meeting when he could attend, or loft the parish meeting, to which he had gone, after doing what business he had there. Ho knew that some of tho members present wore desirous of having a quiet talk over certain matters with him, and it really struck him that their secretary was keeping out of the way. Tho letter was as follows :

Having another engagement this evening, I beg to apologise for my non-attendance at your meeting. I enclose herewith a statement of the race accounts for the past year. _ With regard to the protest in the Cnp race, as the question for the meeting will probably be whether the decision of the C.J.C. is or is not to be accepted, I would offer a remark or two. booking upon 'he meeting at which some of the stewards decided to refer the protest to tho higher authority as irregular, I was, when called upon to state what I know of the matter, at a loss to know whether to make a full statement of tho case to the club, but as the statement sent in by Messrs Lee, Dnncan and McGrath is calculated to somewhat deceive the public, I take this opportunity of contradicting part of it. In the firstjplaoe, then, I never told the stewards, nor has anyone else to my knowledge, told them that Mr Buech did not accept with Farewell till Monday afternoon, the fact being that I gave Mr Bnsch till ten o’clock on Monday morning, December 20th, as I was very busy with exhibition work, in addition to my ether duties at the time. Mr Busch, however, did not avail himself of tho extension of time, as ho notified to me his acceptance more than twenty-four hours before the time I gave him. In the peculiar position I was then placed, I deemed myself authorised to give him the extended time, more especially when I had accepted Kandwick at a late hour (considerably after the specified time) that evening. I should like also to correct Mr Griffiths’ statement as to the stewards or any officer connected with the races asking Mr Bnsch what weight he would agree to, as such a thing Wi 8 never done.

If the meeting is unanimous in deciding to pay over the stakes to Rnndwick, you will see that there is sufficient balance to do it with, but there are circumstances connected with the running in tho race which have been brought repeatedly under my notice, and which I have no doubt most of the stewards are as well acqutinted with as I am, and it might be as well to have them considered, as they certainly do not reflect credit on anyone connected with the races; and rgain there is the question of whether, one horse being disqualified, the stakes should not be withheld. But these matters I must leave to the meeting.

Again apologising for my absence, I am, &0., , B. Ahebne

Be (the chairman) pointed out that a state* ment had been made by their secretary that certain gentlemen were not duly elected by the club to collect evidence and lay same before 0.J.0. The minutes passed at a meeting, at which thirteen wore present, ran—- “ That a full statement of the question be submitted to the 0.J.0., and that Messrs Lee, McGrath, and Duncan be a committee to receive all evidence, and lay same before the 0.J.0. for their decision.” The meeting at which this was passed was as large as any the committee had ever held. He also pointed out that Mr Ahcrne was evidently in error in his statement as to when the owner of Farewell accepted, for ho had stated one time to the commiteee, and now stated another. The various parts of the letter required explana tions which only a personal attendance would give. Mr Gone observed that the secretary maintained that because the meeting at which it was decided to refer the matter to the 0.J.0. was not called by himself, in a proper way, it was informal. Their secretary further con tended that the president) at a former meeting having tendered his resignation was no longer authorised to call meetings. Mr Roberts said the secretary had told him the president had no right to call a meeting after resigning.

Mr Horsack submitted that that was a most foolish stand to take, because the resignation was no sooner made than it was withdrawn, at the request of tho members of the committee, who positively refuted to accept the same. Therefore, the resignation not being accepted, the president still retained office. Whether they had any rule to tho effect that only the secretary should call meetings he could not say. Is was a pity the secretary had not attended to explain. The Chairman thought the next business had better be taken ; he read a letter from F. Digby, Esq , Secretary 0.J.0., intimating that the club had unanimously decided, upon the evidence submitted to it, that the stakes of the North Canterbury Cup race should be paid to Mr Mason’s horse Randwick. Mr McGrath pointed out that, all the facts of tho case considered, the club could not got away from the decision of the 0.J.0. Mr Roberts contended that, in the same manner as the C. J C. had refused to endorse the action of the Y.R O. in respect to Mata’s case, the North Canterbury race committee need not accept the decision of the 0.J.0. The latter had decided the Farewell and Randwick case without giving the slightest grounds for that decision.

Mr McGrath here pointed out that the evidence was collected by their resolution, and by the same resolution they agreed to abide by whatever judgment the C.J.O might give upon that evidence. He wished here to know if the members of committee were going to find a vote of want of confidence in the committee. He moved—“ That the treasurer be requested to pay a cheque for the North Canterbury Cup Stakes to the owner of Randwick.”

Mr Duncan seconded the motion, protesting strongly against any further discussion of the question. Mr Roberts moved an amendment—“ That as the 0.J.0. has failed to give reasons for its decision in favor of Randwick, we do not endorse their decision.” He urged that the stewards had power to change Farewell’s weight, and admit the mare v ,o the race. The decision of the C.J.O. was tantamount to saying the mare was not in the race at all, was in fact a mere starter, therefore following up their rules which provided that there must be “throe starters or no race,” no race it must be. He was opposed to altering the weights before tho race, and assorted then that it was kicking away the foundation stone of the club, but now the weight for Farewell had been altered, and she admitted to the race, there must be only one conclusion arrived at.

The Chairman pointed out that the amend ment would stultify the club.

Mr Roberts would always protest against paying the stake to Randwick. A somewhat excited debate took place, during which one member was accused ot being interested in the betting on Randwick, and another left tho room in an excited state.

The motion was, however, put and carried unanimously by the remaining members, viz., the chairman, Messrs Duncan, McGrath, Hossack, and Cone, A statement of accounts ot tho club was read, showing receipts, £2lO 7s 3d ; expenditure, £156 2s 3d ; balance in hand, £54 ss. Here the discussion was renewed regarding the non-attendance of the hon. secretary, when it was decided, on motion of Mr Cone,

seconded by Mr Hoesaok, “That another mooting bo called for Tuesday, May 3rd, at 8 p.tn., and the secretary be requested to attend with a full statement and explanation of the aocaun's.” Carried. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.