A RING-IN?

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 285, 22 February 1928, Page 10

A RING-IN?

THREE MEN DISQUALIFIED USEFUL MAIDEN GALLOPER The report from Toowoomba that the stipendiary* steward, Mr. T. Mitchell, of the Downs and South-western District Racing Association, had imposed disqualification on a party at Cunnamulla for alleged ringing-in in May, 1927, has been officially confirmed. Mr. Mitchell last Wednesday officially announced that Daniel Vernon Gwyer, of Coonberry Plains, Cunnamulla; James Robert Wilson, of Cunnamulla, and Thomas Alfred Gardiner, of Mooning Eulo, had been disqualified for life with regard to a horse registered in Queensland as Don Glen. This horse was stated to have been sired by a Glencoe colt out of a Don mare. It is alleged that Don Glen is identical with the bay or brown gelding Bencline, bred by Mr. Mackay, of Newcastle. When Mr. Mitchell went out west in May, 1927, he discovered that the horse Don Glen was nominated in about 17 races as a maiden. The appearance of the horse first aroused suspicion. He was considered a type of horse above th© class bred in those parts, also that he galloped more like an educated horse than a maiden. Mr. Mitchell prevented the horse from starting at Cunnamulla and Charleville, and then began an inquiry. It is stated that Mr. Mackay, breeder of Bencline, presented that horse to a former employee, who, in turn, raced it with success n the northern rivers district of New South Wales. Bencline, who would now be nine years old, was sold, and it is surmised that it eventually got to Queensland, via the far western centres of New South Wales in a drover’s plant.

THE SCAPEGOATS GOAT CASE IN SYDNEY CHARIOT IN COURT MAGISTRATE WHEELS IT “Bring forth the chariot!” Those were the opening lines of the resumed hearing of the goat cases at the Summons Court, Sydney, one morning last week. Mr. Longfield, S.M., imposed a fine of Is. A probable appeal was indicated by the defence. They were delivered with pretty dramatic effect by Mr. L. R. Hall, who appeared for Edward R. Marie, the organiser of Coo-ee City Carnival, charged with contravening the Log and Goat Act. Immediately there was wheeled into the court-room a tiny vehicle, such as has variously been described duiring the hearing of the cases against Marie as a “cart,” a “gig,” and a “spider.” “So that is the celebrated cart!” observed the magistrate (Mr. Longfield). as he descended from the bench to inspect it more closely. With the approved strong-man gesture, Mr. Hal lifted it bodily with one hand and carried it forward. Contemplatively, Mr. Longfield wheeled it to and fro for a moment, and then returned to his seat, remarking: “It's much like a trotting spider, 1 suppose, only smaller.” “Harmless and Amusing”

The vehicle consisted of two bicycle wheels, a pair of small shafts, and a small piece of board to serve as a driver’s seat. At *the back was a narrow strip of wood, on which the name “Sum King” was painted. “That,” said Mr. Hall, pointing to it, “is not a cart within the meaning of the Act. The law says that dogs and goats are not to be used for the purpose of draught. Draught is the. act of moving loads by drawing. Those goats are bred and used for speed, not for drawing loads. I say that is not a cart for draught. Once the driver sits on it you couldn’t fit in a tin of sardines. “There is not one word in the statutes to suggest that Parliament ever contemplated interfering with goalracing. The evil that the Act aimed to prevent -was the use of dogs to draw loads, as is done in some European countries. “What of this goat racing, anyhow! It is simply a harmless and most amusing entertainment. I suppose that one could hardly describe it as the Sport of Kings, but with truth we may call it the Sport of Prime Ministers. In Queensland they have had a ‘Stanley M. Bruce Cup,’ and on another notable occasion a goat race was staged for the particular benefit of Dame Melba. “Goat Races a Scream” “I do not know what is so funny about a goat, but these races at Coo-ee City are a scream from beginning to end. They catch the true spirit of the carnival. “The carnival itself is supported by many leading citizens, and is being conducted to help the good cause of the Young Australia League. “I agree with a lot of the things that. Mr. Hall has said,” Mr. Longfield remarked. “In fact, I am impressed ' with all his arguments. But there is j the law, which says, simply, that any person who uses a dog or a goat to draw a cart is liable to a penalty. . . . i There is the cart, and there can be no doubt that the goat does draw it. The ‘ wording of the section is absolutely plain. I can put no other interpretation upon it. In the circumstances, 1 am bound to convict.” Inspector Spyer (for the Police Department), addressing the bench on the question of penalty, said that the proceedings had been instituted only for the purpose of stopping the racing, and a nominal fine was all that was asked for. The Decision “If the promoters are prepared to withdraw the goat races,” he went on, “we will ask for only one penalty m respect of each night, and are prepared to withdraw summonses issued subsequently.” Mr. Hall: We have to thank the police for their consideration throughout the whole of these proceedings, but the case will probably go further. Mr. Longfield: If the judges interpret it differently, I will be more pleased than if they did not. I will have to convict. Pined Is, with 8s costs. Mr. Hall: May we have time to pay? Mr. Longfield': A matter of 9s could be paid. It would not affect an ap- ! peal. . . ; The hearing of the remaining- -3 counts against the defendant was allowed to stand over. Races Again Mr. D. R. Hall, who appeared for Mr. Marie, in the goat cass, at the Summons Court, stated that, after consultation with counsel. he had decided, in view of the remarks of the magistrate, and the very arguable nature of the provisions of the Dog and Goat Act, to lodge an appeal against Mr. Marie’s conviction forthwith. Mr. W. G. Gee has been retained to appear for the appellant. In the meantime, Mr. Hall added, the goat races would be held each night, as usual.