THE FEATHERSTON CONSOLATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1574, 4 January 1884, Page 2

THE FEATHERSTON CONSOLATION.

Sik, —The peculiar decision of the Stewards of the Featherston Racing Oiub in I'd the Consolation Race run at their meeting on New Yoar's Day, being the latest racing scandal, I will with your indulgence, place iv few facts before the | sporting public The raco was contested by six horses, of which Treasurer was a hot favorite, When the flag fell the first three to get on their legs were Gabble (ridden by young Hill) on the inside, Treasurer (ridden by Pelling) in the centre, and Ninette (ridden by J. Carey) ou the outside. The latter was seen by oreryono to bo malting desperate efforts to closo in on the other two, and amidst loud shouts from the onlookers of "jostle! jostle!" it was observed' that Ninette had closed in on tlio two inside horaes, and that Gabble had been knocked inside a post, and Treasurer's jockey so interfered with that ho was prevented from doing justico to his horse, At tho finish of the race Gabble was first, Ninoito second, and Treasurer third. .Mr Macaw, the owner of Treasurer, at once entered a pvotOßt against tho rider of Ninette for foul riding, and tho owner of Ninette protested against Gabble for going inside a post. The stewards met, and after some twenty minutes had been wasted by the objection uf ihese gentlemen to allow a fricud of iho absent owner of Gabble to be present to watch the case in his interest, tho ovidenco of the lads who rode in tho race was taken as follows ;-0. Puulsen'j rider'.of Kate Kelly, and P. Haywani, • rider of Konini, stated they wero positive Gabble went inside a post. Pelling rider of Treasurer, gave similar evidence, and further state] that Garoy, ridor of Ninoito,- when only half a length in front of Treasurer and Gabble forced Gabblo inside iho post, and interfered with Treasurer to such an oxtent to prevent him (Pelling) having any chanco of getting round the course without running against the post. Hill, tho rider of Gabble, stated that he was not suro whether he went inside a post or not, but that tho two horses outside of him had pressed him oil the course on to the Jong grass, and that they knocked against Gabble. Tho rider of Konini (Hayward) stated positively that the' rider of Ninette jammed on to Treasurer and by interfering with him caused Gabblo to go inside a post. Carey, tho rider of Ninette, admitted that he was only half a length in front of Treasurer and was on tho outside, the mare, Ninette, was boring in, and he might have rubbed against Treasurer, At this stage of tho ovidenco the gentleman representing tho owner of Gabble expressed himself satisfied that Gabble had gone inside a post, but urged upon tho stewards tho desirability cf some punishment being meted out to the horse on tho outside, who, by taking Gabble's running when not two lengths ahead, caused her to go inside the post, th'oroty endangering the rider's life, and causing the ownor and backers of Gabble to lose their money. The owner of Treasurer offered to produce outside evidence of persons who wero eye-witnesses to the whole affair, but the stewards seemed unwilliug to hear any further evidence, although plenty was forthcoming, and after a few minutes deliberation announced that the stakes would be paid to Ninette. This decision was recoived by the crowd with howls of disapprobation, public opinion being that as Ninette was the cause of Gabble going inside the post she should not have been awarded tho stakes, but disqualified, and her rider punished. Some loud remarks were also made as to the unfairness of stewards sitting on judgements who had tiokets on the horses in question. Tho enclosed clipping from Bell's Life of a recent date, instances a case not nearly so glaring as tho ono above, but the stewards disqualified the outsido horso at once, it being a hard and fast rule that no rider can close in on another or tako his running unless two clear lengths in advance, and any infringement of this rule always results in disqualification. But as the Featherston Club is only in its infancy, a considerable allowance must be made. Still, it is hard that an injustice should be committed, even if it is through the ignorance of tho stewards. The following is the English case referred to : —'•Atßrighton ratoon Octobor 30 and 31, the' Autumn Handicap of 200 sovs was won by Mr T, Cannon's American purchase Sachem (Bst 121b) after a doad heat with Mr W. Stevens' Ironclad (fat 111b). In the run-off the betting was 6 to i on Sachem, who held a slight lead on the inside until half way down the hill, when Ironclad, drew about a neok in front. The pair then ran. at very close quarters to within the distance, when Cannon, from want of elbow room, dropped his hands, and Ironclad won by three lengths, An objection to the winner on the ground of boring was heard, when Ironblad was disqualified and the race awarded to Saohom." PaibPuv.

TAMTAHI DAIRY COMPANY. [From the Observer] An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the above Comprny was held at the Council Chambers on New Tear's Eve, for the purpose of confirming the resolution passed at the previous general meeting held on the 30th November,- 1883, empowering the Directors to borrow ' money by mortgage or bill of sale, ind to receive the report of the Committe'o appointed re placing the balance of the unallotted shares, and also to consider the financial position of the Company, About 40 shareholders were present. Mr W. C. Buchanan, who was voted to the chair, after the minutes, had been confirmed, read the resolution, proposed by Mr H. E Wolters, seconded by Mr W. Booth, viz,:— "That the Directors of the Taratahi Dairy Company, Limited, be authorised and empowered to raise a logfcSfr loans by way of mortgage or bill^., sale as the case may be, upon all or ) any portion of the property [or assets of' the Company, and upon such terms as they may think fit, and that this present resolution be deemed a special resolution within the meaning of the statute relating to Joint Stock Companies, and be registered as such at the office of the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies, to take the samo effect as the articles of association of the Company now in existence." .

Aftor a little discussion the resolution was unanimously confirmed. The Chairman huving intimated tho next business was to receive the report of the Committee appointed to place the unallotted shares, the committee ' then individually explained the unsuccessful efforts made in this direction. In answer to questions, it was stated that 16 tons of cheese was available at the Factory, the rough estimate of its value being about .£BOO. That the Factory buildings and plant had cost £679. That the arrears for unpaid shares amounted to £79 7s 6d, but £55 2s 6d of that amount was secured. That 126 shares had been taken up under tho compulsory clause, viz,: milk-suppliers to take up one shave to each cow, and that tho total number of shares in the Company numbered 1538. The Chairman said it was a matter for regret that the remaining 450 shares had not been taken up, He considered the industry, if encouraged 'would prove a great boon to the district ] and the remaining shares if taken up would place the Company on a good financial footing, and next year could look for very satisfactory results. Ample evidence, he said, was forthcoming that milk suppliers' were satisfied with 3|d, aud he gave it as his opinion that" tho sale of the cheese at present current rates would euablo them to pay this price. Any advauco in the current price would naturally place the Company in a better position to pay a higher prise for the milk. Mr Booth here read an extract from the Patea Mail, in which it stated " that tho Te Awamutu Company had received 9d per lb for two tons of cheese recently exported to Victoria, and that after paying 2d duty, left them 7d." This, he said, was a satisfactory proof of the. good market open, and if the company could clear Gd in Sydney, it would pay them 4d. It was further stated, in answer to questions, that £155 had already been paid milk-suppliers, and that on February 1, accounts amounting to £550 would have to be met. That if 300 of tho unallotted shares wero taken up, a guaranloa would be given that those remaining would be secured up by tho Directorate. Mr Francis thought tho shares should bo placed by tho present shareholders. Mr Booth asked whether they could not be taken up that evening in tho room, and after a deal of exertion on his part 2G6 more shares wore allotted, leaving a balance of only 194 to bo taken up, The secretary then read the list of shareholders, and it was thought they could be induced to take up more shares, a number of those present being deputed to use their influence in placing tho balance, and to report from time to time to the secretary, The meeting then terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair.