ROUGH RAGING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 89, 13 July 1943, Page 8

ROUGH RAGING

WAR-TIME MEETING FIREARMS PROHIBITED At the first war-time race meeting in the Northern Territory, Australia, "misrules" of the meeting stated that batteries of not more than GO volts could be used, but firearms were prohibited because of the danger of injury to the committee! Shillelagh could tised on opposing jockeys, and patrons were told that the ambulance would be in attendance for all those disagreeing with the committee. The meeting was not overburdened by stewardship., but the clastic regulations avcre not very much abusedl. | To the thousands of officers and men of the north-west Avho attended it was the biggest event of the year; to the Prisoners of War Fund it Avas a real benefit, for a percentage of the takings from the 20,000 tote, tickets amounted to nearly £450. The* typical country race track had been cut out of virgin bush by the men of a cavalry regiment,, Avho staged the races. Hundreds of officers and men from distant units Avho could be spared from their serVice duties travelled ;long distances with their mess kits and rations, and at the. luncheon interval the Avliole area through the trees was dotted Avith picnicking parties. Horses for the meeting Avere supplied by Mr H. Byrne, of Tipperary Station. The stakes, Avhich exceeded £500, Avere raised by auctioning to men the temporary OAvnership of the horses for the day. The highlight of the day Avas the special to be contested by "six famous jockeys procured at great cost and inconvenience!" They proved to be a group of diminutive aboriginal boys, but they had been born to the saddle—and could they ride!