JUDGE HOOTED.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 2 January 1926, Page 8

JUDGE HOOTED.

RACECOURSE DISTURBANCE. • SCENE AT AWAPUNI. The Manawatu race meeting, which concluded at Awapuni on Tuesday, ended with a disturbance, in which the judge was long and loudly hooted (says the New Zealand Times). The trouble occurred over a decision of the judge, Mr. Gage Williams, in the last race. Mr. Williams placed Birkie first, Economist second, Birthmark third, and Master O’Rorke fourth. Economist was favourite, and Birkie, which was paying a good price, is owned' by the president of the club, Mr. C. Louisson. A section of the crowd gathered round the stewards’ stand after the numbers went up and carried on a hostile demonstration for some time. One of their chief items was: “Three hoots for the judge.” These wore vigorously given, and the company gave itself several enthusiastic encores. Mr. Williams was counted out, and “We want our money back,” was a request made to the club. At length the disturbance died down, and the crowd dispersed. Some of the crowd considered Economist won, and others gave their verdict in favour of Master O’Rorke. It is understood that two stewards of the club who were in the box with the judge, agree with the official placings.