NOVEL PROSECUTION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10, 2 May 1914, Page 6

NOVEL PROSECUTION.

WHAT IS A HORSE RACE? A case which presented some peculiar features was heard at the- AVhangarei Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday hist, before Mr' E. Page, SiM., when the police proceeded against five settlers—R. M’Don aid-, T. Brooker, J. R. MTnnes, J. Morrison, and R. Sinclair—on the grounds that on 7th March, they illegally authorised and conducted a horserace, known as the Whananaki Cup. In opening the case for the prosecution. Sergeant Moore explained that on the day in question a carnival of sports events was held at WJiananaki. On the programme was an event of an unusual chaiacter, but which, nevertheless,, he regarded as a race within the meaning of the Act. In this event, the horses were to walk half-a-mile, trot half-a-m'ile, and complete the remaining half-mile on the course at any pace their riders thout fit. The prize was £7. and had been won by a lady. He produced-*, a snap photograph of the event to prove that the race was an “all out” one. Mr T. A. Brooker said that lie was secretary of the sports meeting. The object was to discover the best general purposes horse in the district. To settle the question, his committee had organised a race in which all these conditions should be represented, and, naturally, as the ladies did quite as much riding as the men, they were considered just as eligible to compete. The'- prize was awarded on points, arid it did not follow that the fastest horse oV the first horse in would have won. Mr H. D. Harrison, for the defence,- said that the prosecution was an absurd one. The circumstances were unique in every respect. Such a case had never been brought'to Court before and probably never would again. He desired his Worship to note that the winner of the race was “a lady, who had ridden a rat of a pony.” The Magistrate decided to reserve judgment.