A RACECOURSE "ARGUMENT."

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 732, 3 February 1910, Page 6

A RACECOURSE "ARGUMENT."

;. •:. AT HUTT PARK. ' Arguments"., at' the'.pony meetings, are becoming ; rather . frequent,.. and "-this mi.desirable: feature- was' in- evidence yesterday at : the' Hutt Racecourse,--where- the Hutt; Park Racing Club's January roeeting' was ' concluded. ■ The -weather was fine, and there was. a good attendance of the; public,' while -the 'bookmakers also -strong' force. Starters were not -over 1 numerous, aid the!fields. were the' smallest that I have yet- been'.seen- at this club's _ meetings..'' Proceedings worked smoothly, till theiconclusion of'the.fourfch race, \Aeai there was slight disorder. This event: was "won: by Miss liuby, and when her'jockey'.proceeded.to weigh'in the room was crowded -.'with members 'of the public' and bookmakers' clerksi" : The jockey at first weighed in'withoii-t the ibridle.but : afterwards with' it. The olerk ot scales was 'satisfied, with the -weight, but some of , ..those ,, orowding round' the scaled" refused. to ;let the boy get off—a oouple of membens of the: rival . factions almost coming to.blows, Eventually the managing, steward oleared the room, and instructed .the bookmakers' ■ ■ "runnier".. to announce■■s;oorrect.-.: weight.'':. This- the "runner'.' refused to do, and,' when the managing -steward, tcalled. out ,'TPay the winner," the- bookmaker's ' ."runner,"- in loud'- toiiesi- countermanded ..the' order- by calling "Eeturn all moniey." Finally the .bookmakers' -were given :to , understand tha-t'they must pay the wihneT,'and'proceeded te do'so. ; One of-their number, however, was unable, to meet his liabilities, and presently began to cojne in'for a rough handling from the crowd.; The' 'police came to his' 1 assistance, however, and, after , a parley with hie creditors," he returned original money, and gave I.O.TJ.'s for the balance. Naturally,- the "rumpus" upset operations on the last raoe, and very little business;was done on. that event. - -