Circular Road Race

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 94, 6 September 1912, Page 5

Circular Road Race

GOLLINS, OF GREYMOUTII, WLNB. ANOTHER FINE PERFORMANCE. RAIN SPOILS FINISH. [ Patron, His Worship the Mayor (Mr. G. W. Browne); president, Mr. W. J. Williams; vice-president, Mr. W. C. Weston; general committee, Messrs. A. George, D. George, J. Garcia, J. Elliott, E. Cattley, J. Clarke, J. Bennett, Geo. Griffiths,'G. Tabor, L. A. Edwards, H. Brooks, H. Moon. P. Fabian, J. McKean, M. Holah, G. Hale, W. Ohong, Hawkin, G. Bell, W. Little, M. Julian, C. Davy, Robson, Sadler, Vinsen, Tippins, W. Jones, Green and Jonas; judges, Messrs. J. H. Hempton, E. Whittle and A. Hansen; starter, Mr. A. Hansen; assistant starter, Mr. D. George; call steward, Mr. J. Elliot; refreshment stewards, Messrs. H. Moon and G. Malam; number and sealing stewards, Messrs. Tabor, Julian, Brooks and Tippins; check stewards, Messrs. C. Sadler, Hawkin and,Vinsen; timekeepers, Messrs. J. Bennett and A. Hansen; finish stewards, Messrs. Jones, Green, Jonas, O'Kelly and Dineen; dressing and programme steward, Mr. G. Griffiths; appeal committee, Messrs. Whittle, A. George and McLeod; motor cycle race, stewards, Messrs. George and Holah; number and result stewards, Messrs. Vinsen and McLeod; Hunt Club events stewards, Messrs. F. Watson, W. Young and Harry George; hon. treasurer, Mr. E. Whittle; hon. secretary, Mr. J. McLeod; Okato stewards, Messrs. Richards and Booker; Opunake stewards, Messrs. Clarke and Duncan; Kaponga, steward, Mr. C. Betts; Eltham steward, Mr. B. Beasley; Stratford steward, Mr. E. Drake; Inglewood• steward, Mr. A. Leslie.

A GOOD START. Yesterday morning broke reasonably fine, and consequently gladdened the hearts of many of the Circular Road Race officials, Avho already foresaw a. record gathering to witness the finish of the road race at the racecourse in the afternoon, and if the gathering at the start of the race was any'criterion their hopes would have been fulfilled. However, about 2 p.m. there was a heavy downpour, which lasted all the afternoon, rendering matters uppleasant fot cyclists, spectators and officials alike, and it speaks well for the enthusiasm of the local people that about a thousand attended at the racecourse. To revert to the start. Long before the time appointed, the crowd began to assemble in the vicinity of Messrs. Burgess and Fraser's warehouse, and took great interest in the preparations being made by the cyclists for their long journey. Of the seventy-two entrants, fifty-seven faced the starter, the most noticeable > absentees being Messrs. P. B. Henry and A. L. Crook, of Sydney, both of whom were on the scratch mark, and the two limit men, Ben Tippins and L. E. Hoffmann-. Telegrams were received later, explaining the absence of the last named, Mr. Tippins having, it was alleged, passed through Okato shortly svfter daylight, going strong, whilst Mr. Hoffmann wired ' from Auckland that he had broken down in his preparation, having thrown a splint and developed streptoceus of the gizzard'! As last year, the starters were provided with, bags containing chocolate, raisins, sandwiches, celery, bananas, etc. Some, too, bad contrivances for holding \ liquid refreshment. Others carried spare : inner tubes, etc. One competitor carried a small clock on his handle bar, so that he-could tell how fast lie was travelling. It was precisely 25 minutes'past eleven by his own timepiece when he returned to New Plymouth with a buckled wheeL By starting time there must have been fully a thousand people assembled on every coign of vantage. The police had made complete arrangements for keeping the crowd in check, which, though very dense, left a clear space for the riders, who were heartily cheered as they were despatched promptly to time in batches by the starters, Messrs. A.,(Hansen and A. George. The scratch mfen. L. Smith (Christehurch) and P. O'Shea (.Sydenham) were given an extra volley ' of cheers as tin \ et out strongly on the journey. THE KINEMATOGRiAPH. An excellent series of kinematographic views were obtained by Mr., Haughton, the expert for the Egmont Film Company, and these are being shown at the Empire Picture Palace. They include a capital view of the start and the finish, also views of the competitions on the ground, including the motor spill. All along the route, from every vantage point, crowds viewed the progress; of the race, which it is certain is destined to become the most popular sporting ;fixtare in Taranaki. , . • ; THE REGULATIONS. The regulations under which the race was contested included clauses to the effect that all machines were to be seajled with gummed tickets. Competitors were supplied with check tickets to attached to the handle bars, one to be dropped at the officials' tables at Opunake and Eltliam, and one to be handed to the check stewards at the end of tile race. The route was via Oakura, Okata (feeding station), Rahotu, Opunako (feeding station), Kaponga and Elthain (feeding station), Stratford (feeding station), Ingle wood, Egmont Village, Mangorei, to grandstand on racecourse. The race was run under the rules of the N.Z. Athletic and Cyclists' Union. Footpath riding was prohibited, and com testants had to ride the machine they, started on, throughout the race. Com- 1 petitors were not allowed to take pace or acceptance from any rider not wearing the official number. Scouts were placed along the route to report any infringements, as acceptance of paoa from outside cyclists or motorists 1 would disqualify competitors. THE STARTERS. The following were the starters, witK their handicaps:—A. B. L. Smith (Ohristchurch), P. O'Shea (Sydenham), scr.; J, Clarke (Aramoho), J. Coulter (Palmerston North), 3minj H. Henderson (Palmerston North), P. S. Humm (Christchurch), smin.; J. McTigue (Halswell), 11. F. Williams (Waddington), L. H. Tozer (Temuka), 7min.; H. Gibson (Christehurch), L. B. Young (Winchester), G. W. Prebble (Ohristchurch), 10 min.; E. Slow (Fairlie), 15min.; >W. Greenlees (Aramoho), P. Hill (Mangatoki), W. Thorne (Gisborne), G. Wallace (Mataura), N. Wadman (Onehunga)'' 17min.; W. F. Roebuck (New Plymouth)', W. A. Christiansen (Wanganui), 25min.; A. E. Double (Onehunga), 28min.; A. Giffney (Remuera), W. C. Taylor (Marton), W. Coulter (Woodvill'e), H. H. Ronald (Martinhorough), 30min,; 0. Rowlands (Hikurangi), !E. H. Taylor (Marton), T. C. Gollins (Grcymoutli), 32min.; J. Cross (Wanganui), W. D, Tloebuck (New Plymouth), B. 0. O'Connor (Rangiora). L. E. Smith (New Plymouth), A. Codd (Rahotu). A. White (New Plymouth). 33min.; J. T. CooK (Oaonui), E. J. Sheppard "(Kaponga), J. A. Jones (Gisborne), C. E. Greenlees (WanganuH, IT. Burr (Auckland), J. Allen"(Halswell), C. J. Allen (Halswell)', S. W. Crutchley (Wanganui). R. Ilenner (New Plymouth). A. Danielsnn (Palmerston North), 35min.; R. Bell (New Plymouth), P. 0. Taylor (Wanganui), W,

A. Foster (Eltham), 37min.; V. Gunson (New Plvnioutli). W. (iurison (New Plymouth), B. T. Hume (Stratford), J. Jury (New. Plymouth), A. G. Waterhouse (Hastings), L. A. Warren (Ingle- 1 , wood), A. Bettridge (Egmont Village), D. James (New Plymouth), S. White (Elthain), H. Schwieters (Inglewood),! 40min. ! THE RACING. j The ilrst man to return to New Ply-1 moutli was W. Greenlees, the second man in last year's event, who turned back very early, remarking that Wadman was making the pace too hot, and that' ho himself was not feeling fit. Wadman evidently made the pace too hot all the way, as he won fastest tunc. D. James, J. Coulter and A. Whito were soon back; the first-named broke a pedal, and the latter buckled liis wheel. Shortly before noon the two scratch men returned. It appears that at the Tapuaea Hill, when gaining on the field, O'Shea's tyre was cut beyond repair, and he was perforce compelled to abandon the race. Smith gave up at the-same time. News of the progress of the race was slow in filtering through. Burr was the first oi the bunch to pass thrcmgh Opunake, 'having taken two hours and fourteen minutes to do the forty miles. This was accounted for by the fact that to this point a head wind was experienced. Crutchley, Danielson, Greenlees, Renner, Codd, Rowlands and Gollins were close up. By a strange paradox Slow did the fastest time to Opunake, just a minute under two hours. At Kaponga and Eltlnui Gollins was in the lead, at the latter place, having a lead of eight minutes. The scratch men were not gaining very much. Gollins was followed by Renner, Danielson and Allen. Ronald, Codd, Roebuck, and Rowlands were riding close up together in a batch, a few minutes behind. Roebuck protested against Rowlands for taking place from a motor-car "here, and a protest was also put in for, Gollins riding on a footpath. Greenlees broke his pedal near Eltham. Gollins was riding' very strongly, and passed through Midhirst five minute? clear of the field. Soon afterwards he broke his chain for the second time, and this again enabled the field to get close ii]) to him. Inglewood, however, saw Gollins still leading, Danielson having displaced Renner for runner-up. Allen I Ronald and McTigue followed. Then, a few minutes later, came Renner, Row lands, Codd, Wadman (17min.). Tin time that the first man passed through Inglewood, viz., 2.49 p.m., showed thai good progress was being made, despitf the fact that the men had run intc heavy rain at Stratford, and it was con fidently expected that fast time wouk be put up, and this proved to be tin case, as it was barely 3.25 when tin crowd waiting on the Avenue road a' the entrance to the ground discernet several figures struggling in the dis tance, and the Boy Scouts signalling their arrival. A warning bugle wa: blown by the Scout bugler, and the crowt on the grandstand were on the qui vive ENTERING THE RACECOURSE. At 9.311 n.m. Mime miir!-stained fiemive:

came through the opening almost simultaneously, and as they raced wearily up the straight programmes were out in an endeavor to ascertain their identity. Entering the straight they were together, when one of them, No. 38, Gollins, of Greymouth, spurted away and won gamely by about forty yards. Very little separated the second, Ronald (Martinborough) and third, Danielson (Palmcrston North), who were both completely exhausted. The winner, who had ridden sixty miles of the journey ahead of the field, absolutely unpaced, did not seem distressed. Two minutes later J. Allen entered the course, followed at short intervals by Rowlands, Oodd, Renner, Wadman and Roebuck. Indeed, so close was the finish that the first nine men were within as many minutes, and within half an hour over twenty had returned. The cyclists, needless to narrate, were heartily cheered on passing the winning post. Some of them appeared: very fatigued by their efforts, but others, notably Rowlands, arrived as fresh as if just (returning from a brief outing, which is the more remarkable seeing that he had two punctures en route, and also a spill through running over a dog at Kaponga. Bathing facilities were provided .by Mr. Rlumen, caretaker of the racecourse, and after a brief interval all the competitors reappeared, apparently none the worse for their, arduous task. J. Clarke, who scooped the prize list last year, did not gain a place this time. He was going strong to Opunake, from the virtual scratch mark, when he lost his pacemaker and was unable to get up to the front markers. There were numerous mishaps of a trivial kind, but nothing of a serious nature marred the day's racing. The time recorded by the winner of tile prize for the fastest time, N. Wadman, was shr. 54min. 2(isec, and this must be regarded as very good as must also Humm's performance in putting up second fastest time, shr. 58min. 20scc. The local rider putting up the fastest time was W. F. Roebuck, filir. 3min. 24 see., the second fastest being A. Codd (Rahotu), Ghr. 7min. 58sec. THE PRIZE-WINNERS. The following were the prize-win ncrs:—• First prize (the Britannia Tyre Glial-. lenge Cup, annual competition, valued at 50 guineas; also £SO cash and gold medal, value £5, presented by N.Z. Athletic Union), T. C. Collins (Grevmouth), 32min., Ghr. 2min. ssec. Second prize, £ls cash, and 1012 model road .racer, value £ls 15s, 11. 11. Ronald (Martinboi'ough), 30min., Ghr. Omin 19 *ec. •«—v:.-i<i.«.-,.».,...,.. J, Third prize, £"10 cash and 1912 model road racer, value £ls 15s, A. Danielson (Palmerston North), 35min., Ghr. Gmin lsee. Fourth prize, £5 cash and 1912 model road racer, value £ls 15s, J. Allen (ITalswell, 3omin., Ghr. 7min. lOscc. Fifth prize, £1 Is cash and 1912 model road racer, value £ls 15s, 0 Rowlands (Hikurangi), 32min., Ghr. Omin'I 43sec. j Sixth prize, £3 3s cash and set of tyres, value £2 10s, donated by A. G.i Healing and Co., Christchurch, A. Coddj (Rahotu), 33min., Ghr. 7min. sSsec. Seventh prize, £2 2s cash, and set of' tyres, value £2 10s, donated bv Arnold I George, New Plymouth. R. Renner (New! Plymouth), 35min., Ghr. lOinin. 57see I Eighth prize, £2 2s cash, and set"of' Hutchison tyres and Speedwell tubes I value £2 2s (donated). N. Wadmani (Onohunga), Hiiiin., shr. 54min. 20s.ee Ninth prize, £2 2s cash, W. F Roc-'

juck (New Plymouth), 25niin., Ghr. 3min. . 24sec. * I Tenth prize, £1 Is cash, G. Wallace': (Mataiira), ITmin., Ohr. (jmin. 48t3cc. Fastest tinin, £2O cash (inclurling £1.5 Vm donated )>,v Britannia Tyre Company), and gold medal value £5 as, donated by the IJunlop Rubber Company, of Australasia, Ltd., N. Wadman (Onehunga), 17min., shr. 54min. 26sec, Fastest time Taranaki rider, gold medal, W. F. Roebuck (New Plymouth), 25min., (ihr. 3min. 24sec. Fastest time Taranaki rider, iinj)laced ,£1 Is, donated by Mr. Guy Bell, W. D. Roebuck (New Plymouth), 25min., Ghr. 24min. 30see. . Fastest time, under 21 years of age, Continental Rubber Company's special of £5 5s and set tyres, A. Codd (Rahotu), fthr. 7min. 58sec. ACTUAL RIDING TIME. The following was the actual riding time taken by the first twenty riders to finish -the course:— T.-C. Collins (Greymouth), Ghr. 2min. osec; H. H. Ronald (Martinborough), Ghr. Omin. lflsce.; A. Danielson (Palmerston North), Ghr. Omin Isec.; J. Allen (Halswcll), Ghr. 7miii. 10 sec; 0. Rowlands (Hikurangi), Ohr, G min. 43sec; A. Codd (Rahotu), Ghr. 7min 58sec; R. Renner (New Plymouth), Ghr. lOmin. 57sec; N. Wadman (Onehunga), Shr. 54min. 20sec.; W. F. Roebuck (New Plymouth), Ghr. 3min. 24sec; G, Wallace (Mataura), Ghr. Gmin. 48sec.; W. D. Roe buck (New Plymouth), Ghr. 24min. 3Gsee; P. S. Hunrni (Christchurch), ohr. 58in : a. 20sec; H. Gibson (Christchurch), Oh.'. 13min. ISsec.; J. McTigue (Hallswell), |(ilir. lOmin. l!>sec.; K. J. Sheppard (Kaiponga), Ghr. 38min. 3!teec; H. HcnderLson (Palmerston North), Ghr. 7-min. 20 sec; J. Clarke (Aramoho), Ohr. 3min. Ilß.see., H. F. Williams (Waddington) | finished next. ! THE COMPETITIONS. The motor cycle and hunting events evoked much interest. There were good entries in all events. Considering the 1 greasy nature of the ground in the rain, ithe motor cyclists attained considerable speed, whilst the exhibition of jumping : was very good. There were no spills l in the horse events, but one of the motorists, Mr. Emery, had a spill in front 'of the grandstand, but sustained nc ji'hourt.' The Garrison Band provided a programme of music, which was much Results:— I Motor Cycle Race, five miles.-—Firal [heat: Chong (Bradbury). 1, Davy (Tri'umph) 2. Also started: Emery and Bell ■ Won easilv. Second heat: Goldsmitl '(L.M.C.), i; Jenkins (L.M.C.), 2. Alsc 'started: Julian (Bradbury) and Chris 'tian (8.5.A.). Final': Goldsmitl I (L.M.C.), 1; Chong (Bradbury), 2. Woi easily by about half the length of th( [ course. ~.-.■ I LEAPING EVENTS. | Hunters' Style. Barney (Crowley rider), 1; Inglewood (H. D. George), 2 ; Drudgery (W. Boulton), 3. .| Steeplechase Chase.—Kura (A. II :; Street), 1; Nero (A. J. Daw) 2; Otaorot 'j(W. Boulton), 3. Any Style.—Barney (Crowley), 1 'lKura (A. H. Street), 2. Barney secured the cup presented b; I Mr. J. Bennett for the greatest nutnbe: 1 of points. i PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. The Theatre Royal was crowded las jiight to witness the presentation o prizes to the successful competitor*; [The Royal Picture proprietary had pu on a special programme of pictures fo the occasion. During an interval th Mayor (Mr. G. W. Browne) and severa ■members of the Borough Council am Road Race Committee ascended th I stage, on which were also arrayed th ( numerous prizes, and a godly displa; they made, too. The Mayor,'in a fe\ well-chosen words, presented the prizef the recipients being greeted with salvo of applause from the audience, anion, whom were a number of unsuccessful .competitors. Some of the prize-winner returned thanks; others, apparentl} would sooner have faced the 100-mi'l ride again in preference to the audience judging by their hasty exit. Prior t the presentation the executive met an< considered the two protests entered, an* ; after an * exhaustive enquiry dismisse jthem both.