TUMULT AT RACES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20071, 8 October 1928, Page 10

TUMULT AT RACES.

lELLEKSLIE SENSATION. FIASCO m CHEF EVENT. CROWD INVADES COURSE. ATTEMPT TO STOP HORSES. TWO MEN IN HOSPITAL. THREE RACES POSTPONED. A public demonstration, which will go down as one of the most angry and hostile in the history of racing in New Zealand, occurred at'tho Ellerslio racecourse on Saturday afternoon, the opening day of the Auckland Racing Club's Spring Meeting. The trouble resulted in racing being called off for the day. Tho demonstration followed the running of the chief race of the day, tho Mitchelson Cup, in which fourteen horses lined up at tho barrier, but only seven took part in tho race, the remaining seven dwelling at, or in tho vicinity of, tho starting post, their riders being under the impression it was no start. The hackers of these horses, therefore, had no run for their money, and they made an angry scene round the gate leading to tho birdcage.

They refused to permit the horses for tho next race to leave the birdcage in the ordinary way. Uio race was held, however, and after the placed horses had galloped through the crowd and injured some of the demonstrators tho stewards of the club decided to postpone the three remaining events until to-day. A similar starting incident at the meeting of the Pakuranga Hunt Club a week previously no doubt was fresh in the minds of the public and acted as kindling to the more serious outburst 011 Saturday. Wasted Investments. The seven horses which took 110 part in the Mitchelson Cup race were Star Stranger, To Kara, Valkon, Catkin, Sir Archie, Mint Leaf and Tidal, and nearly £4OOO was speculated on their chances, out of £IO,GOO odd 011 tho machine. This sum must have represented a wide circle of backers. As soon as the people in the stands saw that somo of the horses had not moved and others had pulled up after going a short distance they commenced to shout to the jockeys to stop, calling out that it was no start. The official clerk of the course, Mr. A. Selby, rodo on to tho course, flourishing his hunting crop in an endeavour to make the riders pull up. Somo of the jockeys seemed at a loss to know what to do and one or two made undecided and half-hearted attempts to check their mounts. However, the seven kept going at a moderate pace, and it. was not until they passed the starting point that the real pace was shown. The race, therefore, resolved itself into little more than a sprint.

When the horses returned to the birdcage entrance they were not admitted immediately in the order of plaeo finishing, as is the usual custom. They were kept 011 the course proper until tho starter arrived and announced it a correct start. It was not until then the judge put tho numbers up. Xo sooner had the horses got through tho gate than men and women came hurriedly along tho track from the Lcger enclosure and the hill and congregated round the birdcage entrance, hooting and shouting. Crowd Becomes Incensed. The dividends on the first two horses were put up and when it became known they were being paid out tho crowd became highly incensed. They called loudly for the rerunning of the race and hurled insulting epithets concerning tho starter. The stewards htlcl an inquiry and accepted tho starter's explanation that it was a fair start. All the police who were on (he course, were summoned to where the crowd had congregated, but in spite ot all their efforts and those of tho mounted constables and clerks of the course the angry demonstrating spectators refused to be shifted off the course. The horses were saddled for the next event, the Hunters' Steeplechase, when the officer in charge of the birdcage signalled to the riders lo go out for their preliminaries the crowd with one accord shouted "No," and surged in a wild body toward the gate. The leading horse reeled back and returned to tho front of tho stewards' stand. It was obvious the crowd was determined and so, after half an hour's delay, the riders were sent out to the track, via the hill gate 011 the outside enclosure. This procedure seemed to add fuel to tho fire so far as tho demonstrators were concerned. Some of them rushed over to the Malting pest, but the big majority remained on the. course in front oi the birdcage. determined not to allow the racing to proceed. There were a few cries of encouragement from people in the inside enclosure. Insults to Starter. Tho starter also took the same route to the starting post as the horsemen. Ho was subjected to many insulting remarks until the field had been despatched, and then everyone watched in almost breathless silence, wondering what was going to happen when the horses came up the straight to tho winning post. Eight of the twelve starters came to grief during tho course of tho race, leaving four horses to finish. The patrons of the stands were almost breathless with excitement and horror as they observed men running toward tho last fence in an effort to drive off tho leading horse, Mashoor, who was a long distance in front of the other contestants. One man rushed at the fence directly in front of the oncoming horse, wildly waving his arms. Ft was the act oi a lunatic. Fortunately the rider observed him, and, turning his mount slightly, he cleared the obstacle safely. Once over Ihe fence the problem besetting tho. jockey was how to get his"mount through the mass of people. He got busy with his whin and charged his horse right through to the winning post, scattering the crowd right and left. His action drew forth the plaudits of tho more soberminded people in tho enclosures. The second, third and fourth horsemen adopted similar tactics, they being the only ones to complete tho course. Scenting trouble, the assistant clerk of the course caught the bridle of tho winner and hurried horse and rider into the birdcage to tho accompaniment of hoots and jeers from the "outsiders" and appluiiso from the stewards' stand occupants. Trail of Injured.

The horses had left a small trail of injured in their paths. Two women and ilueo men were knocked over, ,but only two men required medical attention and were sent to hospital. The others escaped with bruises and a bad shaking. The men admitted to hospital were: John Joseph Mathews, 109, Richmond I load. Ponsoriby, 31 years, married, suffering from concussion, condition not serious; Alexander Williams, Poace Street., Uotorna, 36 years, single, suffering from a fractured shoulder-blade and concussion, condition not serious. Mrs, lvcano,

243, Karangahape Road, received treatment at the casualty station on the course and was tlien able to proceed home. There was a round of hooting for the jockeys in this race, many of the demonstrating public being of the opinion they should°not have taken part in the event. E. Garrett, rider of Tago San, walked from the Lop of the hill back to the birdcage carrying his saddle over his arm. On approaching the birdcage ho was subjected to some heckling by the crowd there, and lie had to bo escorted through the gate under police protection. All this time tho crowd had been in angry mood, many of them jumping up on the railing fence. This kept tho police very busy removing tho obstinate ones, and there was quite a lot of scuffling in which shakos were knocked off and policemen pushed against the fence. Superintendent Wohlrnnnn did not escape, and his dark suit later bore evidence that he had been knocked against the white raiJings. One of the mounted policemen tried to scatter the crowd by backing his horse through them. A spectator was knocked over and there were loud yells of "Pull him off." However, tho police showed great tact in dealing with the difficult situation, and handled the crowd exceedingly well in tho circumstances. The crowd on the course was by this time in a mood to hoot anybody at all connected with the Racing Club. There wore still cries of "Send out the starter." Mr. ft. B. Lusk, tho judge, had come in for his share of the hooting when lie took up his position to judge the finish of the steeplechase. Appeal to Crowd Fails.

Tho stewards thought to quell tho ire of the people on the course by making an announcement, and this was attempted by Dr. A. McGregor Grant, mounted on a pair of steps by the birdcage gate. He was greeted with' a chorus of yells and hooting, but eventually there was a moment's silenco while he made a few remarks. He informed his hearers that it was impossible for tho club to do anything else but declare it a race. At this there was an immediate renewal of hooting. "Wo do not blame the boys or the starter," ho said. "I know myself it is very easy to make tho same mistake." But that was as far as tho speaker could go, and ho was counted out. During this brief speech a loud report from the direction of tho stewards' motorcar, accompanied by a cloud of dust drew attention to the. bursting of a tyre. This was found to bo a. deliberate act on tho part of one of tho malcontents Realising the crowd was still as angry and obstinato as ever, the stewards decided that it would be useless to continue the racing, especially as the next event was for two-year-olds. The band struck up the National Anthem, and there was an immediate outburst of cheering and hooting, which lasted right through the playing. Thinking the Racing Club might be employing a ruse to clear the track, a large portion of the crowd stayed round the birdcage hooting, and although the club's announcement that there would bo no more racing was made at 4.5 p.m., it was after halfpast five when the last of tho people left.

POLICE GUAM) COURSE. NO ADMISSION YESTERDAY. ANGRY CROWD WELL HANDLED. CONSIDERABLE TACT SHOWN. In view of the behaviour of the crowd of, Ellerslie it was decided to close the courso entirely after the racing was postponed. Every entrance was locked and carefully guarded by tho police throughout Saturday night and yesterday. It was also decided to refuse admission to the usual Sunday aftornoon visitors to the racecourse, and'tho band performance at the course was abandoned. Owners, trainers, jockeys and newspaper representatives were subjected to careful examination 011 seeking admission to the grounds yesterday morning, .and / during the day hundreds of people were refused admission. Exceptional taet was shown by the small band of uniformed police and detectives, numbering about 20. which was confronted with many trying moments during the period the trouble lasted on Saturday. In spite of the fact that numerous insults were hurled at them and that in several instances persons refused to move whon directed to do so, tho police remained calm throughout. A false move on their part at any stage undoubtedly would have had serious consequences as the crowd was in an ugly mood. Every constable 011 duty at tho racecourse was called to tho sceno as soon as the crowd commenced to gather in front of the judge's box, and although they were in a hopeless minority they met the situation admirably. Many insults were met with a laugh by constables, and it was subsequently realised by tho more unruly element that the police were not to lie ruffled. This had the desired effect, and the police were able to carry out their work of keeping the crowd in order far more effectively. Although 110 further trouble is anticipated today, it is understood adequate police arrangements havo been made.

WANTED MONEY BACK. deputation to stewards. NO INVESTMENTS RETURNED. A deputation of two men from the large crowd outside the judge's box waited upon tho stewards while the. uproar was at its height with a request that those who held totalizator tickets on horses which did not compete in the Mitehelson Cup should be allowed a refund. The two were insistent in their demands, and declared to 11 u » stewards that thoso outside would not cease their demonstration until somo satisfaction was obtained. It was pointed out by the committeo that the demands of disappointed investors could not be satisfied, in view of tho definite ruling relating to totnlisator investments laid down in the Rules of Racing. According to "part 29, rule 14, of the rules, no money once handled on the totnlisator is permitted to be refunded. This rule stales: "Unless herein specially provided to the contrary, all money paid for tickets shall go to the dividend, and no claim for tho refund of any such money shall bo allowed . After considerable argument, during which the deputation appeared to bo under the impression the club should override tho rule, the two men eventually withdrew, obviously disappointed. They subsequently returned to their places among the dissenting crowd on the course.

COPIN.d WITH TRAFFIC. CONGESTION AVOIDED. Tho snddon ending which camn to Saturday's racing created a problem in llio provision of transport which it was not anticipated would ho required for at least an hour later than proved to be tho case. In the ordinary course of events tramcars do not arrive at the course until shortly after five o'clock, and as soon as it was learned flio day's racing had terminated cars were hurried from, both the Epsom and Gaunt Street depots. Although there was congestion on early cars leaving tho eourso, there was a sufficient number shortly after 4.30 to cope with all traffic. Motor buses wore already at tho course when tho decision was made to postpone tho meeting, and those, with taxi-cabs, were able to handle tho first section of the crowd, Particularly quick work was also carried out by the Kuilway Department in providing trains shortly after the crowd started to depart, and, considering (be unexpected rush which took place, the traflic was expeditiously handled.