PROMINENT SPORTSMAN

Chronicle (Levin), 11 June 1947, Page 7

PROMINENT SPORTSMAN

LATE MR/HAROLD HENDERSON The death oecurred in Palmerston $Torth recently of Mr. Harold Henderson, a well-known professional cyclist of some years ago who was also prominently connected with the eyele industry in this city. Born in Palmerston North 65 years ago, Mr. Henderson was the third son of the late Robert Henderson, an engineer and sawniiller in the early days of the city. He was "edueated at the Terrace End, Kelvin Grove and Bunnythorpe Sehools and in 1907 mar ried Miss Margaret Coulter. Soon after the outbreak of the first World War he took up farming in the Waikato, Wai tomo and Kaitaia districts, later re turning to Palmerston North where he again entered the cycle business. Mr. Henderson was a well-known and popular professional cyclist ot pre-1914-18 years. He competed with great success in many sports meetings tliroughout the country and also road racing in both New Zealand, and Australia. He vvas chosen several times as New Zealand 's representative for the Warnambool to Melbourne (105 miles) and Goulburn to Sydney road races. He secured fastest time aml best performances for the New Zealand riders, riding from scratch and narrow-' ly missed fastest time honour on several oecasions through punctures on the

road. *• In the first round Mt. Egmont road raee in 1911 held under atrociou^ wea ther conditions he finished second, despite mishaps on the road, the winner, Jim Clarke, being a young rider whom Mr. Henderson had trained and coached. So bad were the conditions under which this race was lun, that only 14 completed the course out. of 65 starters. Mr. Henderson also competed m the Timaru to Christchurch road race for many years, riding from scratch wit.i the well-known champion cyclist, Jack Arnst. In 1912 he competed against the champion, Phil O'Shea, securing the fastest time reeord and with it the New Zealand professional champion ship. The time on this occasion was a record for the race, being 5 hours 2u minutes 21 seconds. It remamed unbroken for a number of years. In his own district he rode with considerable success, winning the Palmerston North to Wanganui annual road race several times from scratch. Another notable achievenient was his reeord-breaking ride from Wanganui to Palmerston North when he iowered tlic existing reeord established by E. Wall of 2 hours 25 minutes to 1 hour „ominutes. He was challenged by Messrs. Freeth (Manawatu DaiLy Times), J. B. Clarkson and Adams, Ltd. to repeat the performance within one month. This he did, lowering his own reeord by 31 minutes. In qe again redueed his own record, on- this occasion covering the 481 miles_ m hour 42minutes 2 2-5seconds. This was an unpaced record on metal roads. At the age of 46 he rode his last race -m the Timaru to Christchurch event, thus •ending a eareer. of ov.cr 25 years' activu Ahvays of a bright and cheerfui nature, Mr. Henderson was admiral and respected by all with whom he »ame in contaet and his passing will be felt by a Wide circle of friends. ^ to niourn their loss are his wife, his daughter (Mrs. L. Burton), a son (Mr. Bruce Henderson), a sister (Mrs- vPope, of Shannon) and threc brothers (Mr Ted Henderson, of Levin, Mr. Roa Henderson, of Awahuri, and Mr. ^iv Henderson, R.N.Z.A.F., Japan).