Pink Coats And Scarlet Faces

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30367, 17 February 1964, Page 11

Pink Coats And Scarlet Faces

(N.Z. Press Association— CopyfisW LONDON, February 16. Fox hunt followers made a cavalry charge against hunt saboteurs whp tried to wreck their hunt at Ewehurst, Surrey, yesterday, the “Sunday Telegraph” reported. Police bad to stop heated clashes between about 30 saboteurs and followers of the Chiddingford Farmers’ Hupt.

The hunt supporters made their charge as the saboteurs sprayed the ground with acetone, a chemical which dulls hounds’ sense of smell, and strewed meat around for the hounds. The mounted hunters lashed out with their riding whips. Several girl raiders were knocked into a ditch by charging horses. One 17-year-old girl was knocked down after being fait on the shoulder by a whip. Police had difficulty in breaking up the melee. One 19-year-old youth was arrested and charged with

using insulting behaviour. The leader of the raid, 21-year-old John Prestige, said last night: ■ “We expected opposition, but the way the hunt behaved was appalling. Several girls in the party were badly shaken up.” The master of the hunt, Mr Raymond Stovold, said: "I am sure no one in my hunt would use unnecessary Violence unless really provoked. I don’t know if these teen-agers are anti-hunting or just anti-social, but their yelling drove the fox straight to the hounds. We made a kill within 15 minutes.”