AUSTRALIAN CYCLISTS ENTERTAINED

Evening Star, Issue 19799, 24 February 1928, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN CYCLISTS ENTERTAINED

A large gathering of members of the Otago Amateur Cycling Club assembled last evening to entertain tho Australian champion amateur cyclists—Messrs J. Standee, .1). Gray, and their trainer, Mr F. W. Kaltenbach. Tho Caledonian Tea Rooms were tastefully decorated. Mr J. A. Johnston, in introducing tho Australians, said that their visit would he of great benefit to cycling in Otago, and, on bhclf of the 0.A.C.C., wished them every success in their coming world contests.

The toast of “The Visitors,” with whom Mr Nicholson’s name was coupled, was then honored. Mr Kaltenbach said that no doubt most of the lads ins charges had come to race against were present, and he hoped that, as tho chairman said, their visit would bo of great benefit. As far as lie could gather, cycling hero had "one ahead in leaps and bounds, and Ko felt sure that if team racing was introduced during the winter it would go still further. Failing competition from other clubs, teams could be got from the present members, and as competition makes Rugby football and uricket, so it would cycling. Also replying to the visitors’ toast, Mr C. Nicholson said that the formation of the O.A.C.C. had worked wonders for cycling in Dunedin. When he was here last year only twelve or thirteen riders took part, while now there were thirty or lorty. He said that Messrs Standee and Gray were willing to impart valuable knowledge, and all riders should take first opportunity of picking up some of the finer points of the game. Tho following toasts were also honored:—“The Otago Centro,” proposed by Mr E. Palmer and responded to by Mr Bastings; “The Otago Amateur Cycling Club,” proposed by Mr C. Garside and replied to by Mr W. Feichley. During the evening instrumental and vocal items were rendered by Messrs E. Bastings, C. Olsen, P. Brady, S. Alexandra, W. Scott, and T. Dillon. The singing of ‘ Auld Lang Syne ’ brought a very enjoyable evening to a close.