A short time ago a man was discovered under the floor of the weighing room on a race day at the Coonamble course. The man was armed with wire, pliers, and other things usable for interfering, through holes in the floor, with the mechanism of the scales on which the jockeys and their gear were weighed.
This has been followed by the discovery that on at least three other racecourses in the Western district the scales have been fraudulently operated on for a considerable time past. In each case there has been found a tunnel, with a cleverly concealed entrance, leading under the racecourse buildings to below the floor of the weighing room.
At this part there was an excavation in which a man could lie without very much discomfort, and by the use of wires passed through skilfully arranged little holes in the flooring operate on the scales as a pre arranged signal.
By this means a horse could run in a race while carrying, without detection, a great deal less weight than that allotted by the handicapper. Old newspapers and race books found in a couple of the cavities below the weighing room floors show that the gang responsible has been operating for over a year.
One can only wonder how much money owners and the public have been swindled out of by this gang. Of course, the racing clubs concerned are doing their best to get the swindlers run to earth.
• In a letter, dated July 1, received by his relatives from Lieutenant Robertson, of the Canterbury Infantry Battalion, the writer says: ''We had a huge luxury this evening, in the shape of two poached eggs, being a gift from the people in Egypt.
''My word, if New Zealand folk would send a few gifts here and cut Belgium out for five minutes a day we would be delighted.
''I saw where the fruit growers were going to send apples, and then changed their minds. A few loads of apples, jam, potatoes, dried fruits, butter, and fresh fish would be as gifts from the gods.
''Tins of coffee or cocoa, chocolate, anything for a change - my word, they would make the men happy. The thing needed most of all is condensed milk for the dysentery cases and it is very scarce. However, we are more or less contented with our lot, and have got past the growling stage.''
• Writing to a friend in Christchurch a member of the crew of H.M.S. New Zealand states that the ship was not hit at all during the two engagements she has been in.
The sailor believes they all bear charmed lives, or owe their immunity to the charm of the Maori tiki they have on board.
The mascot, Pelorus Jack, a bulldog puppy, came to an untimely death by falling down the funnel casing and being burned to death.
His loss is mourned by the men, who had become very attached to the dog, as he was on deck barking at the shells all through the two engagements, and he was to have been presented with a medal.
It is believed that the New Zealanders in England are going to present the ship with another mascot, as a little black kitten is the only pet they have now.
- ODT, 31.8.1915.
