THE KING'S PRIZE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 176, 4 November 1910, Page 5

THE KING'S PRIZE

THE CHARGE AGATNST PIGGOTT. By Cable.—'Press Association.—Copyright. Received 3, 8.55 pun. Sydney, November 3.

Piggott was charged at the Police Court with falsely pretending to the secretary of the Rifle Assocition that he had scored 49 at the 1000 yards range in the King's Prize Match, whereby he obtained £IOO, with intent to defraud. After be*iug proclaimed the winner, and being "chaired," Piggott reecived £IOO, but afterwards returned to the money to the Association. The arresting constable produced Piggott's written statement wherein he confessed that he did not shoot at the 1000 yards. He declared he was sitting behind the mound when an unknown man asked to see his shooting card. This man marked in the score, and told him to hand the card in, saying it would be all right. Piggott also alleged that he had made a bet with the man to whom he handed the filled-in card of £2 to nothing that he would win the King's Prize. Piggott afterwards wrote to the secretary of the Association asking him to keep the matter out of the papers, "for the sake of innocent ones at home."

A witness deposed that he met Piggott by arrangement after Piggott had told him he won fairly and squarely, and agreed to attend the enquiry and give evidence in support of Piggott's claim that he made the score. The case was adjourned for a week to allow defending counsel time to consider what course to adopt.