FOOTBALL & RACES

Hokitika Guardian, 4 June 1930, Page 5

FOOTBALL & RACES

AN INCIDENT AT OTAKJ

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

WELLINGTON. June 4

All-absorbing interest in the football was piquantly displayed at Otaki yesterday when nearing the close of the betting on the fifth race the usual throng of patrons were milling round the total, sator. Suddenly came a sound of tremendous cheering, punctuated by the voice of the announcer of 2 V.A. from Athletic Park giving the news of the match Wellington v. Britain. Immediately ra ing became a secondary consideration, r i lie crowd rushed away from the totalixatov to take up positions within earshot of the loud speakers, which had been erected on stands for the purpose of enabling racegoers to follow the progress oi the match, and there they remained. Cm disastrous was this to the business of the totalisator, that it became necessary. in the interests of racing, to cut oil' the broadcast throughout the greater part of the second spell, ami set it going again during the slack time immediately after . a race, for people simply would not leave the vicinity of the lornl speakers. The closing stages of the game wore “silent.’’ hut the final •i,tinounecmeiit that 'Wellington had held is lead was received with great cheering.