IRATE BACKERS WRECK AND BURN RACECOURSE OFFICES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18991, 10 February 1930, Page 9

IRATE BACKERS WRECK AND BURN RACECOURSE OFFICES.

Even Dig Up French Course To Prevent Horses Starting In Race.

(United Press Association.—By Elertric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received February 10, 12.10 p.m.) PARIS, February 9. A false start at Vincennes trotting races led to the worst racecourse riot in France in a quarter of a century. Ten horses in the first race dashed off and completed the course, but were ordered to rejoin the remaining five and re-run the race. Thereupon, irate backers on the parimutuel, shouting: “ We want our money back,” surged round the offices, brushed away the police, overturned or scattered the mounted police and wrecked everything in their path. They invaded the weighing room and the Press stand, flung chairs and tables on to the course, demolished huts and pulled up the stakes marking the course. They flung down the paddock railings and set fire to the parimutuel, which was burned to the ground. They then started fires in other buildings which narrowly escaped the same fate. The stewards attempted to start the second race, but the rioters dug holes m the course. Police reinforcements quelled the disorder, but the programme was abandoned. M. Chiappe, Prefect of Police at Paris, commanded the reinforcements, dispersing the mob, who had greatly hampered the firemen by cutting the hosepipes. Numerous arrests were made. effiHSffISiffIHIBSHHBSHSIEHSSffISHEISHaiSigHHISHIBiHgBiSSig