WAR OF WORDS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18549, 26 November 1925, Page 9

WAR OF WORDS.

DISPUTE AT CYCLING MEETING. ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL. Hard words vrere liamlied with great freedom and ferocity at the meeting of the North Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union last night. . The trouble arose when Mr J. Grant Mackie made allegations afcout the judging at tho athletic and cycling meetings held at the English Park Stadium on Saturday nights. Mr Mackie •contended that the judges on various occasions had failed to report breaches.. In one case recently he said a competitor was so drunk that he had fallen from his cycle. There was, too, another occasion when an intoxicated competitor had won a running event. , As it-happened, Messrs A. Forbes and L. Moffatt, who lxad waited on the Centre to apply for meeting permits for the Stadium, we'ro present when •Mr Mackie made his allegations. Mr Forbes intimated that in a short period a new judge „would bo appointed and satisfaction would be given. Good of tho Sport. Mr Mackie, somewhat mollified, announced that he wished to see clean sport, and if he did not it was no good to him. The members of the deputation then withdrew, and Mr Mackie continued his explanation. "The judges never saw anything, and didn't report what they did. Anyhow," he continued, "what about our consuls there. Why haven't they reported anything? Were they blind, toot" The chairman, Mr W. J. Walter, Siid he was sorry he had been remiss, and would endeavour not to offend again. Mr G. Henderson said that at u roeaut meeting he had reported three offenders; He, was doing his best. If Mr Mackio wanted the job, he was welcome to it.; The speaker would gladly resigu in hia favour. j

Mr Mackie: You know well I don't want the job. I'm doing it for the sport and for the riders. I'm willing to pay a premium i'or everyone reported there. . Mr J. M! Coffey suggested that Mr* Mackie had been misled by the smooth running of the Stadium meetings. Ho liked to see a row on occasions. (Laughter.)

Mr Maekie rose and replied heatedly, but the tonor of liis remarks 'waa lost in the laughter. He theq,j prcvceeded to explain his objection fo', a oertain incident which had occurred in a cycle race. He contended that a certain rider had deliberately pulled to the side, nearly putting another competitor out of the raoe, to allow a "hackmarker to pass through. Under his breath Mr \Mackie then evidently made some disparaging remark aibout the rider who had come up from tie back. Fireworks Begin. The remark was caught by Mr W. P. Daly, who rose to his feet and heatedly asserted that the rider was as good and better than Mr Maokie's boy. "Better than he evpr will be, in fact." Mr Mackie, also rising, repudiated the assertion very heatedly. The chairman: Order, order. * Other members present also called for order. Some thunipod the tables and others laughed uproariously. The din was terrific. Mr Daly could be heard shouting at the top of his voice that Mr Mackie was "a —— little Scottie." He added that he was an irishman, and proud of the fact. '"You've got no right to be here, anyhow," snouted Mr Daly. "Order, cried the chairman. "Mr Daly! Mr Mackie! I'll clo6C the meeting if you don't stop." The other members: Order, order! Stop it, you fools! Sit down. Mr Cotfey grasped Mr Daly by the shoulders aDd tried to force him" into his chair, bub Mr Daly refused to sit down. Ho called Mr Mackie a ibluff. Mr, Mackie: I'll call your bluff. You're a bluff yourself. Mr Daly by this time had recovered himself and began to smile. "You're a bluff." he repeated. Mr Mackie; "I'll call your bluff." He then turned and rushed to the rack, seizing his cap. "Haven't I any right to be here:"'' lie asked. He was on the point of leaving the room when cries of "Don't be ally," "Sit down," etc., made him reconsider liis decision. Mr Daly by this time had resumed his seat and was regarding the proceedings in the lijht of a ioko. Mr Mackie altered his intention of leaving the meeting and also returned to his chair. Defiantly he said he would call Mr Daly's bluff, anyhow.