BICYCLE RACES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2056, 6 February 1889, Page 3

BICYCLE RACES.

« — ». — President — Alfred Harrison. Vice-Presi-dent—O. W. Pornell. Judgei— l>. Thomas, W. J, Steward, and O. W. ParDelL Starter — D. Marie. Referee — J. J. O. Qasne. Hsndloappers— J", A. Oliver, D. Murle, and O, Ray Clerk of Course— P. William.. Timekeepers—A. Harrison, and H. Ztnder. Secretary and Treasurer— Will Q. Murray. Considering the prominent place held for some years by oyollng In connection with oat door sports, it is somewhat remarkable that It It Is only during the last few months that any great Interest has been taken m the sport In Ashburton. The recently formed Ashburton Oyoltne Club has, however, daring Us few months existence made soon progress that to-day tile first bloycle rsoe meeting held In the dlstriot Is taking place on the Old Sporte Grounds. This arena la peculiarly well ■alted to the purpose and the Clnb is fortunate In having scoured It. it Is furthea fortunate In being given a fine day, with a breez > jpst sufficent to temper the beat of tbe sun, without interferrlng with tbe speed cf the competitors An excellent track has been prepared , tbe distance being 4 laps and 250 yards to tbe mile. Mr W. 0. Davis had a oonfeotloners booth on the ground. There was a good attendance, but a number of people viewed the sports from tbe high terraoe aoross the road just outside tbe grounds. On Mil* M aidbn Roadstkb Handicap. First prise value 21s, presented by Mr J. Molaon ; second va'ue 10j 63, presented by Messrs Mitchell and Turner. B. Christian, 200 yds 1 H. H. Stephens, 53ydr 2 B. Low, 150ydr 3 W. F. Bennets sor, H. Fisher 60yds, S.Salek 100 yds, and B. Bde 200 yds also ■tatted. Christian at once went away with the lead. In the second roucd Fisher went down with a heavy cropper and Bannetts, apparently m endeavoring to avoid him, followed suit Benne ts w*s going well, and had it net been for his accident would not have been far out at the fin eh. Stephens kept up a good pace an i made up * lot of ground, but never overhauled Christian, who won with about 30 yards to spare, Ede. about 50vds away, third. Time, Smlo 20: ec. Halt Mils Biotclb Handicap First prise value £1 Is, presented by Meears Harris and Son ; second value 15i, presented by Messrs S»lek and Co. H. H.Stephens, AGO. 100 yds ... 1 W. O. Murray. A. CO., 100 yds ... 2 O. R. Wilson, P. 8.0., sor 3 MoKty, 0.8.0. , scr ;A. Jones, A.O. 0. , 80yds alio started. Murray held a slight lead for two laps, when he gave way to Stephens. Wilson passed MoKay In the ■stand tap, and shortly after assumed third plate. A good finish resulted. Stephens just winning by four or five yards, Wilson %*• IsfA *«• tOM'ng ▼"JlM* In the lsst feftuditto yntras, aooat a similar dlstanoe from. Murray third. Time, lmln 974-sth sess. An Mil* Roadster Handicap. Flrat prfss value £2 2s, presented by Mr W. Pattman ; second p r 'za value 21s, presented by Messrs Light band, Allan snd Co, C.B. Wilson, P.B.C.scr 1 MoKay, 0.8.0 , 100 yds 8 It Bargrove, sor 3 A. Jon". A.0.0. 600 yds, and A. Plokford, A.0.0., 500 yds, aud Walls, A.0.0., 600jds also started. At an early stage of tbe raoe Jones Blued tbe pedals and fell. McKay went off with s rapid paoe and assumed the lead. Plckford soon retired. Wilson want op to MoKay and followed steadily la his wake for several laps, eventually passing him and jast leading. In the fifteenth lap the pair passed Wall, who had had a lap to the good of Wilson. At this stage McKay shot to the front, bat It was pretty evident Wilson bad the race well In hand. Wall retired about the twentieth lap, leaving McKay, Wilson and Bargrove, tbe latter of whom was hopelessly In the rear, to fight the matter oat. In the last lap WlUon passed McKay, whom he bsd hitherto Indulged with the lead, and won by about a ooople of yards. Tine, 16mln 47sec. Qbb Mils Ladibs Bbacslbt Roadster Hahdicap. First prise gold bracelet value £3 3s ; second, silver bracelet, value 10s 6d. H. H. Stephens, A.O C, 130 yds ... 1 W.«.Murray, A. CO., 100 yds „. 2 McKay, C.8.0,80r 3 B. Bargrove, P. 8.C., 80yds; O. R Andrews, AC.O., 2loyds ; and F. Nokes, A.0.0., 300 yds, also started. Stephens quickly passed Andrews and Nokes and increasing his lead won with the greatest of ease by thirty or forty yards. Time— Smin 9 2 6tn sees.