DISGRACEFUL RIOT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1086, 27 March 1911, Page 5

DISGRACEFUL RIOT.

« AT BUCKJUMPING EXHIBITION, « DESPERATE STRUGGLE FOR A'' GRANDSTAND. STONES AND TIMBER USED. Dy Tclceraph—Press Association—CopyrlEht (Ecc. March 2G, 5,5 p.m.) Sydney, March 33. A disgraceful riot took place on the Agricultural Society's ground, to-day. An enormous crowd gathered to wifcness the, buckjump : ng contests, and failing to secure accommodation el&ewhero,, hundreds of people attempted to rush the grandstand at present in course of erection. Those in charge tried to stop the rush, and a general fight resulted, timber from tho stand and stones being used freely. Several people wore- badly injured. A strong force of polico was requisitioned, and finally order was restored. The crowd present is estimated at 78,000, tho whole space round tho ring, and even tho roofs, being densely packed. Soon after the exhibition started hundreds of men and boys broke tbo barriers and rushed tho enclosure, shouting and howling. They commenced chasing the horses and cattle used for tho show, thus adding to the uproar and confusion. Only two policemen were present. When those in charge of tho unfinished stand attempted to prevent an entrance, the crowd, armed with pieces of timber and stones, chased them and took possession. The disturbance was in progress an hour before the reinforced polico were able to clear the ground. Two youths and a man received injuries necessitating their removal to the hospital for treatment, and c number oi others sustained minor injuries. Damage was also done to the stand and other property.