CYCLING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 92, 4 September 1912, Page 7

CYCLING.

THE CIRCULAR ROAD RACE. ITS SUCCESS*ASSURED. All around the mountain considerable interest is being taken in the Circular Road Race, which starts from New Flymouth at 9.15 a.m. to-morrow. The route to be followed is the same as last year as far as Inglewood, viz., via Opunake and Eltham. From Inglewood, however, a divergence has been made, as the race will continue along the Junction road, finishing at the racecourse, instead of, as was the case last year, along the Mountain road. Given fine weather, there is sure to be a record gathering at the racecourse, which is the finishing post. The committee have arranged a capital programme to amuse the spectators whilst waiting for the various batches to finish. The five-mile motor cycle race is rather a novelty for Taranaki. It has attracted a considerable number of entries, and as there is much friendly rivalry among the riders of the j different makes of machines, some fast [ times should be recorded. Several jump- ; ing events have also been arranged, uni dcr the auspices of the North Tnranaki Hunt Club. Some thirty horses will be | competing, and as they arc all in good form after a good season's hunting, some excellent displays should be in evidence. Mr. Blowm.ni, caretaker at the racecourse, has put in considerable work on the track, so that cyclists and motorists should have no reason to complain in this respect. The Garrison Band, too, will attend, and afternoon tea will be obtainable on the course. To revert to the main event of the day, the circular road race, complete ar-' rangements have been made for all details. It is certain that the field this year will eclipse that of last year, for although the number of entries is not quite so good, yet the majority of them will be starters. In fact, including local riders, there are fifty-eight cyclists in town ready to start, be the weather fair or foul on Thursday, and a number have ■ yet to arrive. During the last few days the road has been quite busy with cyclists careering along, putting the final touches on their preparation. The road at present, too, is in very fair order for cycling, the cyclonic downpour of the other evening having denuded the sur- '> face of a lot of loose mud, etc. Arrangements have been made to telephone from the various stations the positions of the leading riders, and these will be duly notified in town. The committee are also looking to the comfort of competitors 1 . It has been arranged to have their clothes removed from the starting place at the Drill Hall to the finishing post on the racecourse, where the cyclists will be able to bathe and change. There will be feeding stations at the Okato, Rahotu, Knowles' (Opunake), Kaponga and Bridge(Eltham) Hotels, and at Stratford. Hot milk will be supplied at each of these places. Opunake and > El tham are compulsory stopping places, where riders' check tickets will be collected. Route officials have been appointed as follows:—Okato, Messrs J. Richards, H. Booker and-J. L. Power; Rahotu, Messrs W. Kelly and Mulholland; Opunake, Messrs D. Duncan, A. Clarke, T. Knowles and .'I. Arthur; Kaponga, Mr. C. Betts ; Eltham, B. Beesley; Stratford, Mr. E. Drake; Inglewood, Mr. A. Leslie.

All riders must be registered under the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union. Registration tickets can be obtained at the secretary's office and at Mr. Arnold George's shop to-night. All bicycles will be sealed at Mr. Arnold George's shop at 8 o'clock to-night, where numbers and check tickets will also be issued. Feed bags will be given out at the Drill Hall before 9 o'clock to-morrow morning, by which time it is absolutely compulsory that all competitors should'be in attendance. A committee meeting was held on Monday night to arrange final details. There was a. very full "muster, Mr. E. Whittle presiding. The secretary reported th.it the sum of ,£153 was now in hand towards the expenses. Some £4O is yet required to relieve the committee of any financial responsibility, but judging from the enthusiasm that is being displayed by the public, there should be no need to worry on this account, as the proceeds (if the afternoon gathering at the racecourse and the prize-presenting pictorial entertainment in the Theatre Royal in the evening should not only wipe off the deficiency but give the committee a credit balance to carry forward to next year. The offer of the Taranaki Garrison Band to assist with a, programme of music at the racecourse in the afternoon was accepted with thanks. The prizes for the horse-jumpin" events will be as follows:—Points prize, cup presented by Mr. J. Bennett; Pyrotan unbreakable bridle, presented by' Mr. E. Whittle, Fitzroy Tannin? Co.; set spurs, presented by Mr. 0.'"Cook; and two hunting crops, presented by Mr. B. Tippins. Mr. G. Tabor, on behalf of an anonymous donor, offered a trophy for the high jump if the Hunt Club put such an event on. It was also resolved that Mr. Tabor's action in arranging with Mrs. Kirkby to provide afternoon tea at the racecourse should be confirmed. The Empire I'ilm Company propose taking cinematographic views of the whole race, and a committee, consisting of Messrs Whittle, Tabor and McLeod. were appointed to interview them re garding the arrangements.