The Reporter

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 50, 10 March 1894, Page 9

The Reporter

CYCLING CLUB’S SPORTS

There was a very large gathering of cyclists and spectators on the Park Grounds last’ Wednesday, when the Club’s race meeting took place. The only drawback to the enjoyment of the meeting, and one which no doubt prevented many from being present, was the bitterly cold wund that blew during the afternoon. In every other respect the sports were an unqualified success. The Club is fortunate in possessing excellent officers. The holding of the meeting almost solely depended upon the forming of the track, and great credit is due to Mr W. Martin for the persevering manner in which he, against considerable opposition, pushed that matter to a head. Mr L. A.JBone has proved himself to be a valuable man as secretary, while the other officer’s undoubtedly

filled tlieir positions with credit—a fact well exemplified by the promptitude with which each event was got off, and the general satisfaction given in the carrying out of the arrangements. The judges were Messrs W. Martin, C. Northcote, and H. A. Macdonald; referee, Mr C. Edmunds; timekeepers, Messrs A. Ferguson, Rein and Rankin; clerks of the course, Messrs R. W. Jones, A. Scott and D. Todd; starter, Mr R. G. Speirs ; lap-takers, Messrs J. J. Purvis, T. Moffett and J. Manson; and the handicappers, Messrs J. P. Wilson and W. Manson. The Garrison Band marched up, and discoursed capital music under the baton of Lieut. W. V. Siddall. The track was in splendid order, and the number of competitors in almost every event unusually large, close upon a dozen riders starting in most of the bicycle races. The riding throughout was spirited, and the plucky manner in which many of the young riders “ stuck to it ” invested great interest in the various items on the programme. The first event, the mile Maiden Handicap, was won by T. Double (90 yards), D. Macpherson (25 yards), and A. M. Macdonald (scr.) being second and third respectively. Twelve started, and made a capital race. E. R. Godward (scr.), a Dunedin rider, at once showed his superiority over the others in the two mile bicycle race, J. Wren (20 yards) second, and G. F. Double (10 yards) third, also rode well, passing a large field of competitors with handicaps ranging to 300 yards. The 100 yards flat race (six ran) was evenly contested. W. J. P. Harvey (5 yards) won by two feet, beating N. Mcßobie (scratch) second, and M. T. Pasley third. D. Macpherson (75 yards) was first in the Half-mile Dash ; Godward (scr.) made a splendid finishing spurt, but landed only second, with S. V. Dyer (100 yards) third. The Three Mile Roadster Handicap fell easily to J. Wren (30 yards), and Sutherland secured second place after an exciting spurt with A. M. Macdonald. The Slow Race created a deal of fun, and although a dozen started A, M. Macdonald was the only man who rode home, all the rest coming off their machines. A. 0. Mitchell second. The Five Mile Club Championship was practically a race between Wren, Sutherland, and Bone, who came home in the order mentioned. Sutherland rode well, and until the fourth mile was aprobable winner, but Wren started the fourth mile by rushing well to the front, leaving the other two who made an exciting contest for second place. Time—l7mins. 39secs. Six started for the 220 yards flat race, won by W. J. P. Harvey (11 yards), with G. C. A. Todd (5 yards) second. The wind was a severe drawback in the Three Mile “ Ordinary ” Bicycle Race, and D. Macpherson (scr.) won easily; A. 0. Mitchell (250 yards) second. Good competition took place in the Boys’ Mile Handicap. T. Double (scr.), first, beat R. S. Waterston (scr.), second, with a few yards to spare. The Ten Mile Handicap brought forward nearly a dozen starters, most of whom retired early in the race. Godward and Wren (scr.) and G. F. Double (75 yards) gradually passed those in front and assumed the lead. Godward and Wren spurted with one another alternately, making the pace very warm, and entered the straight together at the finish, when the former apparently easily pushed forward about a couple of yards on to the tape. Double came in third. Bone and Sutherland, both likely men, were thrown out through the former’s machine becoming disabled. Cuthbertson (800 yards) and Edmonds (500 yards) rode pluckily to the finish, and the former might have got third place had someone not got in his way on the track. It was no easy matter riding against the strong wind, and the time —35mins. 44secs. —is very satisfactory. The programme finished with a Mile Rovel Race—ride, walk, carry machine 220 yards, and ride. Five started, but the contest proved too hard for all excepting F Harraway, the winner, and Godward second.