WITH THE WHEELMEN

Evening Star, Issue 22441, 11 September 1936, Page 7

WITH THE WHEELMEN

[By Pistol.]

FIXTURES. September 19. Otago 50-mile amateur championship. September 12.—Beale Cup, 40-mile event. Short event to Scrogg’s Hill and return. September 19.—Otago 50-mile road cycling championship. September 26.—Otago professional 44mile championship. 1 September 26.—Forty-mile road race (cup). Short event, to Brighton and return. , October 3.—Sixty-mile road race. Short event to Allanton (final). October 3.—New Zealand professional 50-mile championship, at Dunedin. October 10.—Seventy-mile Moller Cup race. October 10.—Christchurch-Waimate road race. October 17.—Round the Gorges race, at Christchurch. October 24.—New Zealand 100-mile championship, Palmerston North to Wellington. October 24-26.—Avon Club (Christchurch), two-day event to Akaroa and return. AMATEUR NOTES As there were insufficient entries for last Saturday’s long event it had to be postponed until to-day. A large number of riders were suffering from the effects of the trip south the previous week, and the small entry was not surprising. However, those prepared to ride were entered in the short event, but were not allowed to take points for the cup for the series of short events. Maurice Paterson sprang a surprise, which showed that he is rapidly gaining form, by securing first, as well as fastest time. The heavy ride against the wind on the way out to Allanton took it out of the younger riders, and they had not the stamina left to keep up their lead on the homeward journey with the wind. Undoubtedly, the best ride of the juniors was made by D. Ralston,. a brother of Clarrie Ralston, who came in second a little behind Paterson. The fastest junior on the ride was P. Garden, who beat Ralston’s time by 6sec. With three more of the short events to go_ before the cup is decided, the issue is_ still open, although on appearances, it will be between A. Shand, E. Boyd, D. Ralston, and P. Garden, who at_ present have most points, these being awarded for first, second, and third placings, in the order of five, three, and one. Fastest times do not count for points. In the competition for the Leslie Cup there seems little hope of anyone catching G. Homer, who has substantial lead, while the Quirk and M’Connell Cups will probably be in doubt up until the last race. These three cups are competed for in the long events only. 'Club juniors should remember this, and always try to finish. In one race—namely, the Otokia event, only one junior finished, and naturally received points for first and fastest junior, yet he was not in the placings. Next Saturday will see Otago’s big road-racing event—the 50-mile amateur championship race. Every year this race attracts big entries, and is very keenly contested, and, with perhaps the majority of entries coming from outside the Dunedin Club, it will be hard to predict the outcome. At present the Dunedin Club’s prospects seem best in the championship division, their three best hopes being Homer, Paterson, and Fletcher, while Umbers and Bullock should go well in the junior title.

In the handicap division, their prospects do not seem so rosy, as most of the club’s competitors, will be near the back mark, except Murray, Tate, and Brown, who may or may not stay with the handicap men from Southland and Christchurch. It seems unlikely unless the back men go through the field, that the Dunedin Club will gain the teams’ honour, as there are not six riders who will be going off good handicap marks. _ However, even if the Dunedin Club’s riders are beaten, they will have to be beaten by much better riders, as they are used to the roads and the country. The race to-day give some indication of the possibilities of the club’s riders. The prize list is a good one. To first place goes the Len Biggs Challenge Cup and a mantel clock valued at £3 3s; second, wristlet watch (£2); third, barometer (£1 10s) ; fourth, set of racing tyres (£1 Is) ; 'fifth, crystal salad dish (17s 6d) ; sixth, racing tyre (10s 6d). To fastest time goes the championship sash and gold medallion, the Dawson Challenge Cup, and a sponge rubber racing saddle, valued at £1 15s; second fastest, plated Pyrex dish (£1 15s); fastest time (junior, under 18), chamFRUIT AND PRODUCE MARKET REPORT Much better business has been experienced on the local fruit and produce market during this week, a good demand being apparent for most lines. Good quality dessert apples are short of requirements, and prices for these have advanced. Low grade fruit is still most difficult to clear. Some nice lines of Winter Cole pears are coming to hand ex cool stores, and meeting good sales. Increased supplies of spring flowers are now being received, but the demand is quite satisfactory. Fresh vegetables have had a very good demand. Both cauliflowers and cabbage are short of requirements, and values show a considerable advance. Consignments of rhubarb and lettuce are more plentiful. Good hothouse lettuce are selling well. Small consignments of local hothouse tomatoes have made their appearance on the market. Swedes, carrots, parsnips, and onions are still in over supply, and sales are most difficult to effect. Good table potatoes have a steady inquiry, hut ample supplies are available for this season’s demand. Seed potatoes are still slow of sale. The shipment of South Australian mandarins and oranges which arrived by the Waitaki during the week were sold out immediately on arrival. Fairly heavy consignments of Queensland pineapples also arrived by the Waitaki, and prices were slightly lower. A further large shipment of pines is due by the Waikouaiti on Saturday.

Ripe bananas have an excellent demand. A shipment of Tongan fruit ex the new boat Matua is due in Dunedin next week. A few Californian lemons ex the Monterey came to hand, and brought very high values, the bulk of the fruit cargo on this boat having been carried on to Sydney.

Supplies of whitebait are short, and good valuesare being secured for small parcels coming to hand. For guaranteed eggs Is Id a dozen is being secured, storekeepers’ supplies bringing Is per dozen.

pionship sash and medallion. To the first unplaced Dunedin Club rider, a trophy. The “ Teachers ” Challenge Cup is for the teams’ race, to be competed for by teams of six from any club, the first four to count. The points for the various aggregate cups are as follow: Leslie Cup. Homer 23, Brown, Paterson 15, Umbers 12, Kelly 11, Bullock 10, Garden, Chalmers 8, Hobbs 7, R. Sivertsea 6, Moore, Fletcher, Fullerton 5, Murray 4; S. Laws, Conner, Ralston, M'Connell, Leal, .3, Boyd, Coburn 2, Blair 1. Quirk Cup.—Brown 15, , Kelly 9, Garden, Homer, .Umbers 8, Chalmers 6, Bullock , Moore, Fullerton 5, Hobbs, Murray, Paterson 4, Conner, Ralston, M‘Connell, Leal .3, Boyd, Coburn 2, S. Laws, Blair 1. M‘Connell (Juniors). —Bullock 30,Umbers 27, Brown 21, Murray 12, Hobbs 11, Garden 9, Boyd 6, S. Laws, Homal, Moore 5, Conner, Coburn 4, M‘Connell, M. Laws, Woodford 3.' Cup for Series of Short Events.—A. Shand 8, Boyd, D. Ralston 5, Garden-., 4, M‘Connell 3, Woodford, W. Sivertsen 1. PROFESSIONAL NOTES The Otago Athletic and Cycling Club held a race from Green Island to Henley and return. Only a few riders turned out, but a good race resulted. A head wind was experienced on the way out, but the riders had the'advantage of the wind on the return, journey. The time for the 33 miles was Ih 32min, and was not so good as it might have been. The club’s riders will have to get in some hard training in view of the big races which are to be decided. J. Woodford was the first man home, closely followed by A. J.. Hay, who registered the fastest time. Woodford has been a very consistent rider throughout the season, and deserves to be in the prize money in the club’s big race. A. J. Hay is getting into form now, and if he sticks to training he should be at the top of his form next month;

T. Guy, a new rider, took third place. He is a strong fellow, and should develop into a good rider. It will be interesting to see how he shapes in open company. J. Welsh finished with the last bunch on Saturday. He seems to be badly out of form, and will need to settle down to hard training if he wants to be in the money in the open events. He is a good rider when in form. L. Twist also finished with the last bunch, but he will do a lot better when he has a few more long rides. The race to Otokia next week should help him a lot. The Kaitangata Club is going great guns just now, and is holding some

very good races. _ It will _ stage the Otago championship of 44 miles on September 26. It is offering prizes to the value of £4O, which should draw large numbers of outside riders. The prize : list is as follows First, £6 and president’s cup; second, £4; third, £2 10s; fourth, £1 10s; fifth, £1; sixth, 15s; seventh, 10s; eighth, 7s 6d; ninth,- 7s 6d. Fastest time, £8- and,-h championship sash value £2 2s; second . fastest time, £2; fastest local rider, £2 and cup ; first rider home under 18 years of age, the vice-president’s'cup; first visiting rider home, trophy; first local rider out of a place, trophy. Entries close on September 18 with' the club’s secretary, .Air A. M'Ghee, Eddystone street, Kaitangata. NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP On October 3 the Otago Club, is,hold* ing the New Zealand 50-mile championship round the Taieri. This race is recognised by the visiting riders from north as second to none in New Zealand. The committee is going to'a lot df trouble to make this race a real success, and, judging- by the prize money' offering for the big event this year, the Otago Club is expecting the race to be the best yet held in Otago. , The prize list is as 1 follows First, £ls and Pauli Cup : second, £6; third, £3; fourth, £2; fifth, £1; sixth, one set of tyres and tubes; seventh, on® pair tyres; eighth, one set tyres; ninth, , one tyre and tube; tenth, one tyre;, fastest time, £5 and .Calder Machay Challenge Cup and championship sash; second fastest time, £l,and tyre; firstOtago .rider home, trophy; first Southland -rider home, trophy; first visiting rider out of a place, trophy. .

“ROUND THE GORGES " RACE The Round the Gorges race, which has been promoted annually by'.the Papanui Amateur Cycling .Club, will be held on October 17, : the' week iter the big cash race, Christchurch to Wai. mate, ' v