THE DISQUALIFICATION OF MATA.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1317, 7 December 1880, Page 2

THE DISQUALIFICATION OF MAT A.

Mr R. H. Vallance has written a letter to the Melbourne Argun concerning Matas running ih the V.R.O. Handicap, and in the Course of his remarks says that as a visitor from New Zealand he considers that he has been very harshly used. So far as the Cup running is concerned the waiter states : — "Surely nobody imagined tor a moment that Mata could give a colt j like Grand Flaneur 201b, or another like Progress 341b. If he could do so he would be as good a horse as First King. The horse ran well to the turn ; and I could hardly expect him to win the Royal Pirk Stakes at weight for age, with such a colt as Progress in it. There was nothing extraordinary among the horses in the V.R.O. Handicap, as, according to previous running, Wellington with 9st 101b, would have beaten The Pontiff; therefore I thought Mata had an excellent show of winning, • and I backed him accordingly to cover my losses in the Cup, and alt that Ray would back him for was £100. Having come a\l the way from New Zealand to take part in the great V.R.C. Spring meeting, I consider it very hard for Mata and his jockey to be singled out for punishment when, I feel satisfied, it was undeserved. Ido not for a moment wish the public to believe that Mata was ridden out in the Royal Park Stakes. He was not. Hi* jockey found he had no show with Progress, and acted as Fred. Archer and other English jockeys have often done — viz., when he had no yhance, pulled off. I would Mso point out to the public that Mita w.is not backed for a single shilling in the Royal P.irk Stakes. I intend to ask the Stewards of the V.R.C. to re-open the case, in order that it may be thoroughly sifted, when, I feel satisfied, they and you and the public will exonerate Mata from any deaire to commit a robbery." As the V.R C. holds its investigations with closed doors, consequently it is impossible for the Press to give a rcstnne of the proceedings, but it appears that Mr George Watson, who was at the " ture," stated that Ruy never attempted to let Ins horse go to the leaders, and stopped him. This was palpable enough in the Stand, but as the same thing 1 is done at nearly every meeting- at Ficmington, but little notice was taken of it until Mata won the V.R.C. Handicap. The stewards then took action, and after investigating the matter, they decided to disqualify Mata and his rider. "Augur," in the .itfotntlu'iiuH, writes : — " There can be no doubt that there was a certain amount of suvspicion surrounding the New Zealand horse from the time that he performed that wonderful gallop on the day before the Melbourne Cup, which many people believed was got up in order to run him into the market, and enable certain parties to hedge their money to advantage. Whether this assumption is a correct one or not it is not for me to say. Certain it is that such an opinion was prevalent, though from inquiries that I have made of many who backed the horse some time ago, I find that the owners took all the money they could get from them on the day before the race, which is a point in their favour. Then the suspicious manner in which Camballo was ridden in the JtLotham Handicap added fuel to the flame, and the New Zealanders were regarded as a very clever party. The stewards, I daresay, had some for disqualifying Ray ; but why did they make any distinction with Mata and Star ? The offence in the latter' s case was far more henious than that of the New Zealander, for nobody, I think, believes that Mata could have beaten Progress in the Royal Park Stakes, while most people are under impression that Star could have won the race for whichhe was disqualified. Moreover, Star was backed for a good deal of money by the public, while not a penny was put on Mata for the Royal Park Stakes. It is to be regretted that visitors from another Colony were the first to suffer from ' inexplicable mnning.' We have witnessed it before, and not a word was said aborut it." It appears from the above that there was some suspicion that Star could have won the race for which he was disqualified. It is very gratifying no doubt to find that the V.R.C. are wakening up, and making in attempt to clanse the ring, but why should they select Matas case and let the Star to a certain extent off. The tfme has arrived when the stewards of the V.R.C. ought to look closer s*t home to the " tiddley winkers 1 ," and mete out that justice which some of them richly deserve. However, we hope that Mr Vallance will have a fair hearing 1 and an impartial verdict, be it for or against. We observe by a telegram from Adelaide, dated «")th December, that the Adelaide Racing Club has confirmed the decision of the V.R.C.

Mr J. 8. Buekland will dispose of a choice kit ot horses overland from Napier .it the Cambridge horse sale on the 18th inst In our Gazette columns will be found an advertisement giving the names and addresses of persons from whom owners ot dogs ma)' take out dog licenses for the jear commencing January, 1881. Mr Jas. McPherson has been appointed to the office ot Registrar (under the Dogs Registration Act) tor the Waikato County Council. Tenders are called for the supply of copper-labelled dog < oll.irs, as may be required by the Waikato County Council, up to noon ot Ihursday, 10th inst. Any person wanting .sign or decorath c painting done could not do bettci than give Mr G. Lovegrove .l tin 11. Mr Adam Cairns having purchased the interest in the Star Hotel, Aiukland. notifies to \isi_tcrs in search ot comfortable hotel accommodation that his house is replete in every respect, and that patrons will have no occasion to "find fault." On reference to our advertising columns, will be seen the Abridged Prospectus ot the Caswell Sound Marble, Portland Cement, and Mining Company (Limited), the share list ot which closes on the 15th proximo. Tenders will be received by the Borough Coum il of Hamilton, till noon ot 1 uesday next, for the office of valuer to the .Borough in terms of specifications to be seen ;it the Council Chambers. Messrs B. Tonks and r Co., have been instructed to sell \aluable allotments in the Ruakaka, township Te Aroha, on the 16th inst. Full particulars will be found in our advertising columns. Vincent E. Rice, Esq., secretary to the Board of Education, notify that the examination for the district scholarships will be held in Auckland on Monday, 20th December, and other important matters in connection with the Board. The real property in the bankrupt estate of E. Pearson, builder, Hamilton, is advertised to bo bold by public auction. The new pure cash system now being initiated by G. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the public. It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and when strictly carried out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods are marked low to ensure .1 rapid sale must be a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery millinary, and clothing .it such prices for cash as gives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder in a co-operative societ}*, without the risk of being called upon to bear a portion of the loss should the year's business prove unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cranwell will aim to retain the confidence which the public have hitherto shown them, and are determined to give tho piiro cash system a fair trial; whether they gain or lose tho first year. Cuuatry buyers on remitting cas{\ \uth order will be supplied with g-oods at co-operative prices ; just the same as though they made a personal selection. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor <>loths, bedsteads, bedding, and general house iurmturo, tho Urg^st pqrtinn qf which i» turned out at our Q\yn factor}, will be marked at the lowest remunerative prices, ,7nd a. discount of five per cent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase G. &C. having re.vlib.ed the entire value ot their stotk during their late cash sale, the present stock is m \v and lhyavly I rtGUdld', Aft inspect} Is oninvitcd. — Gvki.k k and Crvnwim t, City Hall Furnishing Arcade Queen. street, Auckland.