THE DURHAM-CHETWYND CASE. ["MELBOURNE ARGUS."]

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 400, 7 September 1889, Page 6

THE DURHAM-CHETWYND CASE. ["MELBOURNE ARGUS."]

Thus writes the London correspondent of the "Argus": — "The arbitrators in the Chetwynd-Durham case did not take long to consider their decision. The case terminated on Thursday, June 27th, and on Saturday, the 29th, the award was published in the evening - papers. Ib will be remembered that Sir George Chetwynd claimed £20,000 damages on two counts, the first being that malicious remarks were made by the Earl of Durham in his famous Gimcrack Club speech, and the second that ho wrote and published the following words : — ' I accuse Sir George Chetwynd of having connived at serious malpractices which are contrary to the rules of racing.' ■ The decision practically comes to this : Lord Durham had charged Sir George Chetwynd with definite malpractices, such as pulling horses and squaring jockeye. The arbitrators thought that there was not sufficient evidence to prove this, but , they considered it fully made out that j Sir George Chetwynd mu&t have been cognisant of some very queer transactions, and profitted by them, and moreover that the sale of Wood's horsed to him manifestly showed that the sale was designed to deceive the Jockey Club. He also assisted Wood in betting transactions, contrary to the rules of racing. In brief, the arbitrators thought that Sir George Chetwynd was in the swim, but was not the directing mind or the chief manipulator. The result i of this finding is, of course, disastrous to Sir George Chetwynd, and his friends are taking the matter up. Sir George Chetwynd hap again sent in his resignation to the Jockey Club, which has now been accepted. The press generally considers the award a fair one, and likely to result in an improvement in turf matters. The ' Standard' says that the case should prove a salutary warning to owners, and should help to put down the unmitigated evil of' the association of jockeys, trainers, and owners for purposes of turf finance, and 1 ought also to stop much 'foolish betting. As the ' Times ' remarks, it is to bo' hoped • at all events that this glimpse which has been permitted behind the scenes' of a racing, stable will cause some foolish peopleto' hesitate before they states money on hoi sea about which .they know littlev' „.

■ - '-. -, BITS OF • TURF. *' ' * ! Mr Donald' McKinnon tells me thab'he has again gob Scot Free in work afc his farm. He hns also Lochneas and a two-year-old filly by flngomar being prepared lor the forthcoming seWoh; The New Zealand Stud Company have purchased from Mr P. Campbell, of Christchurch, his half 3hare in the stallion Injromar. The horse was imported to the colony by Mr Campbell, and the Stud Company have held a lease of him for the last thrco season?. ' , If. may interest colonial trainers and owners to learn that it transpired during the hearing of the Chetwynn'Durham case that Sherrard s terms for training were £2 10s a week for each horse. The Albany— Zellica (illy, reported to be purchased by the Hon. W. Robinbon. is, the latest addition to Lunn's team at Rccarton. According to Miss Kate Ilussel, mesnieiist, who is gravelling in the back blocks of New South Wales, the Hon. James White's colours are to be first past the post for the Melbourne Cup. Miss Russel, who is credited with several successful horsey predictions in connection with the big events, quite startled a Mudgee audienco iccently, when, in her tranco state, and in reply to a question ' from a well-known turtite, she gave the ' popular colours. "Yairaman," of the Sydney "Sporting Life," says that it will take a large amount of euro and tiouble on the part of his trainer to give Manton a sufficiency oi work to thoroughly prepare him for a se-veiely-contested race over a distance of ground. The lliwko'i Bay Jockey Club have had a sand brack formed on the Hastings racecourse, and another track raised, so that there will be good working ground in all weathers.