THE RIOT AT LILLIEBRIDGE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1638, 24 September 1887, Page 1

THE RIOT AT LILLIEBRIDGE.

London, Sept. 20. Further particulars of the Hutchens and Gent affair show that those well known sprinters had decided to run 120 yards for £2OO a-side and the championship of the world. Considerable interest had been taken in the event for some time past, and Gent was a hot favorite until to-day, when it became known that in a private trial he had failed to make championship record, and consequently the betting went round in Hutchens' favor. Several thousands assembled in anticipation of seeing the match, and wera intensely disappointed. Gent and Hutchens, after _ showing themselves on the track, retired, and at first the spectators could not understand what had happened, but it speedily became known that the race had been declared off, Gent forfeiting, the stakes, obviously to save his backers. The expressions of disappointment from the crowd were of a most angry nature, and were intensified by those who had charge of the ground refusing to return the admission money. A scene of the wildest excitement was witnessed, which is unparalleled in the history of sporting disturbances in England. The greater number of the bookmakers took advantage of the confusion and bolted without settling. The enraged people, in satisfaction of the non-return of their money and disappointment over the match, proceeded to wreck every, thing on the ground. Outbuildings, two grand stands, and a dancing hall, were speedily demolished, and an immense bonfire was formed of the debris. All the liquor saloons were looted, and an attempt was made to burn down the Brompton station. The infuriated body of people were recruited by hundreds of roughs, who outside the grounds proved too strong to be held in check by. the police stationed in the vicinity. The mob re- i mained masters of Lilliebridge for j fully three hours, when a reinforeement of police was brought from all parts of London and the suburbs, and the place was eventually clearedof the rioters. During the time the riot lasted many persons were seriously injured in the fights with the police, who were endeavoring to prevent the wholesale wrecking of the buildings. One man dropped dead from excitement. Hutchens and Gent, alarmed at threats of a number of betting, roughs, escaped from the grounds at the commencement of the disturbance to avoid personal injury to themselves.