AMATEUR CYCLING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 December 1938, Page 4

AMATEUR CYCLING

MASTERTON CLUB. FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. The first annual report of the Wairarapa Amateur Cycling Club, which will be presented at the annual meeting of members in the Y.M.C.A. Rooms tonight, commencing at eight o’clock, states:—lt is our privilege as members of the retiring committee of the Wairarapa Amateur Cycling Club to place before you the first annual report of the club’s activities. The club was formed on February 17, 1938, with the object. of fostering the sport of cycling in the Wairarapa. We feel that this report will show that much has been done.

During the road-racing season the club was represented at the opening races of the Wellington Centre held at Petone on May 17, and also in the Manawatu Club’s annual race from Palmerston North to Bulls and return, which was held on June 6. At Petone, J. Brader finished second in the senior race of 20 miles, while M. Graham finished third and B. Harman recorded second fastest time, respectively, in the junior race of TO miles. At Palmerston North, R. Copp finished in second place in a field of over 60 starters, and we feel that this as well as the success at Petone speaks well for the standard of our club member’s performances. On the executive side of the sport we were fortunate in having such a capable delegate to the Wellington Centre as Mr Bernie Harman. He further distinguished himself and the club by being elected one of the Wellington Centre’s delegates to the New Zealand Amateur Cycling Association.

We opened our road-racing season at Carterton on April 2, when our worthy patron (Mr Ben Roberts, M.P.), declared the season open by pushing off the first and youngest competitor (M. Graham). Our last race of the season was held over a strenuous 38 mile course from Masterton to Blairlogie and return for the Allison Challenge Cup on September 17. As some form of recognition for the wonderful support accorded us, by them, during the season the committee decided to elect Mr and Mrs A. J. Allison life members of the club.

On July 9 we held an open race of 40 miles over a course from Masterton to the Tauherenikau Hotel and return. This event attracted 71 entries of whom 61 started, thus setting a record for the Wellington Centre. Riders came from the Port Nicholson, Poneke,' Petone, Levin, Mana-, watu, Feilding, Dannevirke and Greendale (Napier) clubs, as well as our own club, and we are grateful for their support. After the race we provided afternoon tea for riders and their friends, which was made possible by the efforts of a strong hard-working ladies’ committee who also looked after the supper arrangements at our dance on September 21. We have to thank them for their untiring efforts on our behalf. We are at present in the middle of our first track season, having been granted the use of the Park Oval by the Borough Council. We are co-operating with the Masterton Amateur Athletic Club at their Wednesday evening runs as we will do at their annual gatnering on Anniversary Day. We have to thank the following for donations and trophies: — Messrs Ben Roberts, M.P., Gordon Udy, S. V. Sharman, L. J. Taylor, G. A. Vincent, C. A. Greenwood, A. Rolph, C. K.. Goodin, B. Harman, W. J. Gay, A. J. Allison, S. Copp. The following assisted in the running of our open race and are thanked for their help:—Messrs Robinson (Wellington), J. Harman, Sid Smith, H. Braggins, T. Oakly, G. Barr, G. Pye, L. J. Woollett, E. Graham, D. Wishart, I. Pinkerton, Senior-Sergeant Doggett and the Masterton police, and lastly our own-club officials. We feel, after the favourable comment received upon the wonderful finish of our open race, that we have in Mr Artie O’Donnell a handicapper of remarkable capabilities and desire to record an appreciation of his services on our behalf. Finally we have to thank Mr and Mrs Copp for the use of their residence for committee meetings, the Press per Mr Ben Iveson, for the publicity accorded us, Mr M. Sellar lor auditing the books and last but not least the committee and members for the way they supported the club during its first year of existence. —L. J. Taylor, president; C. I. Dykes, secretary; C. A. Greenwood, treasurer.