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Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 536, 19 January 1878, Page 2

The removal of the ban from O'Briex, who was last year adjudged by the North Otago Turf Club to have been guilty of corrupt action in regard to his racehorse Fishhook has created less stir amongst the Press than one had a right to expect, when taking a review of the eagerness with which the various clubs of the Colony concurred in the decision that O'Brien" should be disqualified from participating in the privileges at the disposal of the North Otago Jockey Club and followed its laudable example. So far from disagreeing with the action of the Club, the Press is unanimous in its verdict that the Club lias acted with discretion. We may conclude that th" opinions of the Press in regard to this affair are also the opinions of toe majority of those most interested in such matters, and that they are the outcome of a conviction that the Club, whoso perspicacity and jealousy for the purity of the turf led to the detection of the oifenco and the punishment of the offender is best capable, of judging of the extent of that offence and the punishment which should be meted out. There are many reasons why the Press has been unanimous in its approval of the action of the Club. At the outset it was questionable whether O'Brien- was the prime oji'ender. It was well known that circumstances attached suspicion to other prominent members of the turf ; but as O'Brien" and his jockey were the only men that could be reached, the Club very properly evinced its determination to protect to the best of its ability the purity of the turf by prohibiting these two men from taking part in the race meetings under their control during their pleasure. Of course, the Club is not of those who would allow an appeal ad 'nxherkordiahi, with a promise never to offend again, to influence them in awarding or mitigating O'Brien's punishment. It intended to cause him to suffer a penalty commensurate with the extent of his offence, and one which should.operate as a deterrent to others ; and the penalty having been paid, fiie Club, feeling that it would be harsh and inconsiderate to proceed further, have removed the ban. But although we can thoroughly respect the feelings which prompted the Club to extend their leniency towards O'Briex, we fail to discern any philosophy in their Gonduct towards Dkrhitt. This man, whoever may have been behind the scenes, controlling his actions whilst riding the horse Fishhook', was the greatest offender of all. It is evident that, whatever may be the dishonest designs of horse owners, they cannot carry them into effect except through their jockeys. Deurtjt knows as much about the swindle as anybody, and whilst he refuses to enlighten ns as to the names of the blackguards that made it worth its while for his willing soul to sin, the club extends to him what may be termed a full pardon. One of the reasons for treating O'Beiejt with leniency was that he had already become almost a mined man, aiid that he had therefore suffered a punishment befitting the offence ; but no such reason can be assigned for the club's treatment of Derritt. He is an owner of horses, and seems, like the wicked of the Scriptures, to prosper. By his silence on the matter with which lie was connected, and which

was intended to operate to the injury of some and to the benefit of others, he has proved himself not only unworthy of the consideration of the North Otago Turf Club, but of the reprobation of every honest sporting man. We presume that Derkitt will now. reappear upon the Oamaru racecourse as though nothing had happened, having been whitewashed by the club; but such a coating of mock respectability seldom stands the test of the temptations of the turf. Its tenacity is sorely tried; and a man having once violated the rules which are supposed to control all honest sporting men, is always liable to be divested of such superficial righteousness, and show himself in his true colours. Who will now have any confidence in the purity of the turf. Horses, if every jockey acted as Derbitt is supposed to have done, would not be run on their merits. It -would not be a question with betting men as to which was the best horse ; but a€ to which horse, through trickery and corruption, was likely to win. The sporting community would be divided into classes or rings, and these rings would vie with each other in scoundrelism. If Derritt had been thrioe ruined; if he had even been necessitated to beg his daily bread through the action of the Club, he should never have been again allowed to take his place on a New Zealand racecourse. We fear that, whatever may be the feeling of the public with regard to O'Bkiex, who we think might have been more effectually purged of the remains of his wrong-doing by the maintenance for another season of the prohibition to run Fishhook-, Dereitt will prove like a wet blanket wherever he is allowed the privileges of a jockey.