Cycling Notes.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 54, 5 March 1901, Page 4

Cycling Notes.

Upon the question of handicapping, “No Advance ” writes :

Any official connected with athletics, or racing will at times find that his position is not altogether a bed of roses. But the gentleman accepting the position of liandieapper is the most abused man of the lot. He is supposed to see everything on the surface and know what is below; and also is to be aware of items only known to certain parties and their friends. Not alone is he supposed to be a mathematician of the first water, but must also bo a thought-reader par excellence, and gauge running, cycling, or horse-racing in the same manner as an engineer runs his engine—up to standard time. Now, with men and horses you can hardly expect the same excellence of form, owing to physical and other causes. Probably some of the know-alls will tell you that if you want generous treatment apply “ palm-oil • ointment ” in profusion, and you will be rewarded accordingly—thus adding insult to the conscientious official. There is one handieapper in the North Island, however, who has a “knack” when approaching horse-owners who have been waiting for something to turn up, of shrugging his shoulders and saying, in a very expressive manner, “ Oh yes, Iknow!” Even admitting the competitor to be a trier; they are not always up to conceit pitch. Again, there is the clever party working up by degrees for' a coup, and your duffer with startling reversal comes to light at the business end of the journey. After he lias completed his work, ho will probably say: “What do you mean by this, sir? Mr A lias beaten me in half-a-mile by twenty yards, and now you ask me to give him the same.” “ Yes, sir ;1 1 a previous meeting you win by double the distance in faster time.” The same applies to racing. “Well, Mr A; are you out to-day?” “No, sir; it’s not goed enough) can’t get the beans on.” Give him a drink, and we may be loose tomorrow. Now, sirs, I think you will agree with me that there are drawbacks to the position, and that it is not easy to find men to undertake the duties.