OUT FOR LIFE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 139, 2 September 1927, Page 13

OUT FOR LIFE

WEST COAST MAM DISQUALIFIED REQUEST TO PULL HORSE (Special to THE SUN.) CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. For some time past, there have been whispers in racing circles to the effect that a West Coast business man was likely to be hauled over the coals in connection with an episode which occurred on the Coast at the last Christmas and New Year race meetings. The incident came to a head yesterday when, after hearing lengthy evidence from all concerned, the Canterbury District Committee decided to disqualify Joseph Nohra for life for corrupt practices. The following official statement has been handed to THE SUN for publication:— “A special meeting of the Canterbury District Committee was held yesterday, to inquire and take further evidence in the case of Joseph Nohra, Reefton, who was alleged to have tampered with D. E. Cotton, jockey, and R. McLellan, who was in charge of the horse Moorland on the West Coast during the last Christmas and New Year meetings. “The committee found nothing to shake the evidence of McLellan and Cotton, that they were approached by Joseph Nohra to pull Moorland, nor is there any evidence to implicate McLellan and Cotton as having been parties to any fraudulent intention. “The committee therefore unanimously finds Nohra guilty of a corrupt practice and disqualifies him for life,”

Mr. Joe Nohra is well known in every part ol' the West Coast, and carries on the business of “travelling" draper, with headquarters in. Reefton. He has been keenly interested in the racing business in hte golden west for a considerable number of years, although he has not been seen on a racecourse for some time past.

The horse Moorland is an aged gelding by Finland, and a noted performer in the South Island Pie was taken to the Coast for the Christmas fixtures, and despite heavy imposts succeeded in winning some of the events, being successful at Hokitika, the opening meet-