BOOKMAKERS IN TROUBLE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14495, 12 April 1909, Page 7

BOOKMAKERS IN TROUBLE.

-o .A STORM' SCENE. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 11. A disgraceful scene occurred after the fmbh of the last race of tho Auckland Master meeting on Saturday. A young man named Victor Wood had' taken a double of 50 to i with a bookmaker styling himself dim Mason. When Dogger'Baiik won the last, race Wood's hopes had been realised, und lie went along to Mason to claim his winnings (£25 10s). It is then allegad that Ma.<-on passed a wad of notes to a confederate, and turned round to Wood and other successful backers with the story that his cash had run out, hut that money would be obtained from tho bank aiid all made, right next day. ■ A fury raized the crowd, and things would have gone badly with Mason, his clerk, and the alleged confederate if the police had not stepped in and taken a hand. The men were taken lo the stewards' stand, but as most of the stewards had departed an inquiry was postponed till Monday. The crowd then took a hand again, and things looked very bad for the two. With many imprecations Mason and Walsh were seized by tho throats, by the hair, by the collar, etc., and for the time being'all was riot. Pot plants went crashing over the stairs, flower beds were trodden upon and crushed, and pandemonium reigned supreme. Eventually tho man paid straight-out odds, and the police got him away. Another bookmaker named Robert Hunter, who earlier in the day had failed to make good his wagers, was, with his clerk, brought before the stewards, who, after hearing the evidence of the police, of Hunter, and of Robinson, ordered Hunter's immediate removal from the course, and recommended that no license he issued to him in future, and that he be warned off all racecourses in Xew Zealand.