CYCLIST HOOTED.

Grey River Argus, 1 March 1927, Page 3

CYCLIST HOOTED.

CYCLING ROW. CROWD ANNOYED. CHRIST CHL KCH, February 23. There was trouble at the English Park Stadium on Saturday evening, both iu front and behind the grandstand. In front, before about l/V'O spectators, who indulged alternately in applause and hooting, the second match race between W. Alackic and I’. O’Shea, was declared cancelled by the management. Behind the stand, half an hour later, before a .smaller crowd, there was a scuffle. At the close of the meeting Alackie and his father, Mr. Grant Mackie, were escorted from the ground under police protection.

The first of the three match races was won by Alackie, who came aTead ot O’Shea in the straight. The win was popular. O’Shea turned out again in the half-mile first-class handicap, riding a hard race against N. IL Goodman. Alackie was entered in the next heat ot the same race, but did not compete. This did not meet with the approval of a section of the crowd, who inquired sarcastically 'where was Alackic. MATCH POSTPONED.

When the programme was through as far as the second match there was a delay. The crowd wanted the match, but it was postponed for several events. “What’s wrong?” shouted several of the spectators. There was no official answer.

It was announced shortly afterwards that the match would be staged. M.m kio and O’Shea prepared themselves on the green, where Mackie engaged in a argument with the officials. It is under stood that he objected to one of the two pacemakers, IT. Mills and I). K. Er ,I'evrc, alleging that N. 11. Goodman 1..1-. been selected by a. prior arrangement with the officials. Tim announcer then megaphoned to the crowd: “The match race is off. Mackie will not agree to the pacemen .and the management.— ” The rest of the announcement was drowned by hooting. Mackie was on the track at the time and smilingly bowed his acknowledgements Mo the < crowd. O’Shea was given a round of cheering as he left fo rthe dressing shed. MANAGEMENT’S ULTIMATUM. The crowd was at high pitch when the following announcement was made: —The management is not going to be driven by riders in any shape or form. (Applause). They put on a programme and ask men to ride, giving as much money as possible: and they not going to be dictated to by any of the riders.” (Cheers and a voice: “Put Goodman on. ’ ’) Mr. Mackie (senior) was sitting in the grandstand at the time. He was subjected to some heckling to which heii

I spiritedly replied. The crowd which quickly dispersed at sight of blue, uniforms, gathered two ■ hundred strong as the Mackies prrpar- | ?d to leave the park. The crowd surged round the car which, escorted by the po lice, left to the accompaniment of some hooting. “WON’T RACE MACKIE AGAIN? P. O’Shea stated after the meeting that ho would not accept any other races with Mackie. Tie was determined upon that. Tie would still continue to ride, but not against Mackie.