A TOM OLLIVER STORY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2722, 29 January 1910, Page 1 (Supplement)

A TOM OLLIVER STORY.

Many stories have been told of the famous, but ever impecunious, English cross-country jockey, Tom Olliver, but the following, told by “Rapier - many years ago, may be new to genera, readers the Sydney “Mail” suggests:—lt was a trial in the Superior Court over 50 years ago. Olliver, then just at the end of his brilliant steeplechase riding had sued the executors of a deceased patron for a considerable amount, being his bill for training several horses, for riding several times, and for othei costs and expenses incidental to bus employment. There was not exactly a defence; but the defendants, as executors, had declined, except under the sanction of the law, to pay what they considered outrageous charges for sn ignoble arid immoral practice. Mr Li. (Probably Mr Hawkins, afterwards a great judge) held a brief for the defence. He was at that time a rising junior, well-known on the turf, and it was a matter of regret to Tom and his; lawyer that he had been snapped up by the other side before they offered him a retainer. Tom, therefore, had to have his bill sifted by a barrister who know the lines and, as may be expected, a very amusing and entertaining exchange of wit and repartee was witnessed in the cross-examination of this extraordinary horseman, whose ability in fence or wordy warfare, and general aptness in the witness box. rendered him quite equal to his be wig gee! antagonist. The Judge who tried the case seemed to bo quite an fait with the business before him, while the jury looked on like two rows of stuck pigs: for to them all the talk about training, entering, scratching, riding or. -}:n flat and over a country, was plainly unintelligible. The bill was a long one, but such was the fairness of the charges and the plausibility of Tom in liis explanations and definitions, that Mr U. made no headway. He evidently bad his reputation at stake, if he could not sensibly reduce the total; so he put hisfinger down upon one item with the air of Itob Roy when lie planted his foot on liis native heath, and told his glorious name. “Come,” he said, “Mr Olliver. 3ou have already informed the court that £o for a losing steeplechase mount, and £lO for a win of a similar description, was regulation price. How is it you have charged £3O for winning the Liverpool? Did you have any express contract before you rode?” Olliver: No, I bad no previous agreement. [Mr H. : Then how do you pretend to support such an outrageous charge? Olliver: Well, now. before I answer that question please let me read the back of your brief. I want to see how much they gave you to ride this match against me. [Mr H.: Certainly not. That is a matter totally wide of this question. Olliver: Oh, no, it isn’t. I should like to see what they are giving you for your mount. There was a great laugh at this, and the judge joined the public and the bar (who were in thick attendance to hear the case) in their merriment, for they they were all on the side of the genial horseman. When it had subsided [Mr H. continued —“I don’t intend to satisfy you. Now. then, tell the court how you can support- this charge.” Olliver: Well, it was a bin race, and I won it. Now, if I could have got you to ride for me to-day. I think I could have made a certainty of getting all the stakes, and I shouldn't have thought of giving you less than a couple of “ponies!” whatever the taxingmaster might have said afterwards. While as for those outsiders there (waving his hand with a look of contempt in a sweeping circle so as to describe all the barristers present), I would not have had ’em at a “quid” apiece. To say that there was a roar in court is simply to give what occurred a truthful and 'unexaggerated description; and to add that Mr H. was aghast between pleasure and sudden collapse is equally true. He must have felt the former emotion predominant when the judge, after stilling the tumult, very emphatically and sententiousiy remarked:—“Mr H., after such a compliment as that I feel sure you will offer no further opposition on the part of your clients to this item. I and the gentlemen of the jury, however, will relieve yon of any embarrassment you may feel. I shall tell them” (looking at'the admiring twelve wiseacres) “that the item is under the circumstances quite fair and reasonable, and I am sure they will take ray directions.” There was not any further opposition to the account, and it need liardlv be said that Thomas —the all-round champion knight of the saddle—won his law race hands down amid the plaudits of his assembled admirers.