TELEGRAMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 930, 30 March 1881, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

(from our own correspondent). Disgraceful proceedings on a Racecourse. Dark Riding. The Opinion of those present The following was issued by the Standard yesterday, as an “Extra:”— Auckland, March 28. The latest sensational swindle in bookmaking has been perpetrated through the medium of three Southern Bookmakers at the Panmure races on Friday. The betting was heavy on the favorite Golden Crown. The owner told a friend, a local Bookmaker, to take as much as he could at 2 to 1, and go halves. The next day he would not have anything to do with the agreement, although a considerable amount had been staked on his word. On Saturday these Southern Bookmakers took what they could get against the Crown, taking care to have cash up, and were in favor of Magician'. The scene on the course beggared all description. Three gentlemen were posted as soon as possible after the race was run, under the Auckland Racing Clubs Rules. The matter is likely to come before the Club and Tattersalls. The Star says a disgraceful scene occurred' at the

conclusion of the race, the jockey being assailed by an excited crowd, with charges of “ dark riding,” “ swindling,” and “ roguery.” Golden Crown had been a hot favorite, the odds being about stol on him. He was heavily backed, but shortly before the race came off, suspieio'ns got abroad that he was being “ stiffened.” The peculiar change in betting confirmed the opinion that something was wrong. One gentleman made an offer to place £lOO to £lO on him if allowed to select his own jockey, but this was refused. The matter was brought before the stewards at the meeting held on Saturday evening, when it was decided that Magician should take first money, and Flora second, and that Golden Crown be disqualified on account of dark riding ; also that all bets on the event be declared off. A protest was entered by the owner of Flora against the stake being given to Magician, it being alleged that the rider of the latter had forced the former off the course. The protest was disallowed. Panmure Handicap. Thorpe’s Magician, Bst. 71b. 1 Byer’s Golden Crown, 9st. 21b. ... 2 McDonald’s Flora, 7st. 71b 3 Rumors that dark riding would be attempted in the case of Golden Crown had been freely circulated, and considerable interest was taken in the event in consequence. A fairly good start was effected. Magician quickly taking the lead, followed by Flora, Golden Crown last. At the back of the course the Crown being let out, assumed first place, but immediately afterwards he collided with a post which was knocked down by his shoulder. Magician and Flora then went ahead, and it appeared to spectators that the Crown was being pulled at the corner. At the last bend Magician would not turn and ran some distance off the course, followed by Flora. Golden Crown continued alone, but after proceeding nearly 100 yards he was pulled up into a walk until Magician had passed him. He then started off again, and the crowd expressed their disapprobation by hooting and hissing Magician during the remainder of the distance. Magician won with about two lengths to spare. The conclusion of the race was the signal for the commencement of a most exciting but disgraceful scene. The public closed round the horses, and it was feared that the jockeys, besides some of the owners, would have been roughly handled, but this was, however, prevented by Sergeant Clarke. Charges of roguery and swindling were shouted out, and violence to those concerned in the pulling of the Crown was anticipated. They, however, succeeded in leaving the course, the crowd following them some distance. Wellington, March 26. At a meeting with his constituents at Ross, Westland, Mr. Gisborne spoke in favor of denominationalism, and of school fees. He said the present system was too costly. Regarding the financial difficulty; he considered it had been caused by several consecutive Governments. To extricate the Colony the Government had adopted two wrong courses by adding taxation to the necessaries of life, and by introducing a property tax.’ H e condemned the method of departmental retrenchment which had been adopted. The uniform reduction of 10 per cent, was a mistake, and it was cruel and unjust, and had already done much to demoralise the service. He spoke of the treatment of the West Coast in respect of public works which he considered the Colony ought to undertake. °