Formation Of Touring Club In Otaki

Chronicle (Levin), 26 March 1949, Page 2

Formation Of Touring Club In Otaki

There was a small 'but enthusiastic •uttendance at the meeting heid on Wednesday ; night, when it was agreed tnat d branch of the tour- , Lng club be formed in Otaki-. Mr. F. Edwards, who opened the meeting, introduced Miss Gillies, Of the Physical Welfare Department, who was asked to take the chair. Greeted with appiause, Miss Gillies Introduced Mr. Stannouse, a member of the British Cycle Touring Club, and Messrs. Milne and Wes'obury, president and secretary respectively of the Hutt Va.ley Club. Mr. Edwards assured tr>e visitors of a fair measure of support for the project, stating that tnere were numerous boys and girls interested in cycling locally, but recommende'd that as tne season wouid be a short one an early sfcart should be made. Mr. Stanhouse gave L an account Of the early days of the cycle touring clubs in England, and advised that tney were first started in 1870. A -membership in- the vicinity of 100,000 at ' present affirme'd the popularity of the movement. He was. .of the opinion that a British - New Zealand club should be formed with a log book, photograph album and records. -Objects Gf clubs were outlined and given as primarily a riders' touring moveiflent, and not a racing one. Hutt Valley club had a run every second Sun-day and fortnightly on Wednesdays. Affiliation with other clubs was desirable, as this arrangement helped greatly when trips away were made and accommodation was nqeded. It was feit that many members would be , found from the ranks of 'immigrants arriving Irom time to time. The question of concessions when members were boarde'd while away from home is one that is receiving consideration. Churclies and other bodies were sympathetic and the Physical Welfare Department could later consider the matter of a subsidy.. An opinion was expressed that should a touring club be formed, it be' a sub-committee of the Otaki Athletic and Cycling Club. Another vibw put forward was to the effect that a sports section should be considered as well as a touring club. Mr. Edwards considered it woffid be a very short while before a club,'if formed, would stand on its own feet. ..., Stress was laid on the fact that members of a club should be boys and girls over the age of 14 years.

It was considered' .that if th,ey were under that age too much responsibility would be placed on club cqptains, although it was agreed that members, who would hold thejn-. selves responsible, ' could bring a |rider nearing .that age on a trip if tdesired. y A resolution to form a club was put to the meeting and- carried. The subscription was fixed at 7s 6d for members over 19 years of age, and 5s for tnose under 19, the term to end in October, 1950. An interim eommittee comprising Misses P. Cook and H. Bailey and Messrs. L. and C. Wilton, was appointed to hold office until October next. The first run is to take place to 'Waikanae Beach on April 3, to start from the Otaki Post Office at 9.30 a.m. Messrs. W. Bailey and J. Connor are to make arrangements at Waikanae. Forms of enrolment and . subscriptions can'.lbe obtained from Messrs.- Oook.'s 'or McKinley's cycle premises. , The jcdmmittee- is to hold its first meeting' on March 30. Miss Gillies Lc'onsehted to ac't ex-officio on the eommittee, ahd the:;Vub's colours Iwere fixed' as black and green. i I A vote of thanks to visiting members and the chair concluded a succe§sful meeting. . , . ^ " f •: « f'( j ■ Prevent long drawn' out Colds — ■Woods- Great Peppermint Cure W: E. WOO'nS, Ltd., Lambtoii Quay., Wgtn,