CYCLING. WHEEL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1765, 19 September 1885, Page 22

CYCLING. WHEEL NOTES.

By Demon

I have to thank the Hon. Sec. of the J uvci - cargill Cycling Club, for a copy of the report of the club's proceedings for the past year, from which I make the following extracts • — " The fact that, though of so recent formation as November 188-1, the active membership roll includes upwards of forty names, is sufficient to dispel any doubt as tho popularity of cycling, or its future prospects in this district. Considering tho large number of members who have only learned to ride during the season, the attendance at the club runs has been satisfactory. A successful tour, in which ten members participated, was made to Riverton and back, a distance of 50 miles, on January 2. Whilst the general state of the roads in Southland, as yet, prevent any long distance rides of note being recorded, still it is hoped that as improvements in this direction are effe'eted, club tours of a more lengthened and varied character, will become a prominent and popular feature. The ride of Messrs Mackenzie and Hobson to Dunedin (139 miles) under the combined difficulties of bad roads and adverse weather,, is noteworthy as an example of perseverance and determination. In spite of the infancy of the club, it was decided to hold race meetings on Boxing Day and an evening meeting on February 13, the success of which exceeded the most sanguine expectations. Great interest was also manifested by the public in the 21-mile and 50-mile handicap road races, won respectively by Messrs F. H. King and J. Wilson. Financially the position of the club is satisfactory, a cash balance of £] 1 remaining in the hands of the treasurer, all expenses being defrayed." About 30 members were present at the annual meeting of the club, and office bearers were elected as follows : President, Mr J. T. Martin; Vice-President, Mr W. B. Scandrett ; Captain, Mr F. H. King ; Deputy-captain, Mr John Hamilton ; Bugler, Mr J. Wilson ; Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. W. Manson. Committee : Messrs C. Campbell, J. Petrie, and R. G. Spiers.

During the picnic given by the Sydney Bicycle Club up Middle Harbour to the visiting wheelmen from the other Colonies, F. H. Shackelford was the recipient of a very handsome gold badge from the Sydney B. C. Mr F. Wood, vice-presi-dent of the club, in making the presentation, expressed the admiration all the N. S. Wales cyclists felt, for the consistent and plucky manner in which the Victorian crack had comported himpelf in all his contests and for his sterling riding. Mr Shackelford said that although he was going home very much ashamed of himself, he would cherish the medal just as much as if it wore given in recognition of a great victory. Mr Shackelford was also the recipient of a valuable trophy given by Mr S. Toogood, vice-president of the Balmain B. C.to the N. S. Wales Cyclists' Unio** for presentation to the best rider at the Union Sports. The executive of the Union unanimously awarded the trophy to Shackelford.

Though the race meeting of the New South Wales CvHM/i' Union was not such a success as was anticipated, yet about £80 has been netted by the meeting. That sum will about make the Union a solvent body.

U:iscl£Mipo&-i in sport is an alta-ilraive -which cannot fail to receive the commendation of oil lbVoi-a of manliness and fahrplay. Last Sbttofrtlay

(says a Sydney paper) in one of the races in the Association cricket ground, G. Pearson cam* down an awful cropper, which nearly stunned, him. Behind him at racing speed were several other riders who would also have come to grief had the prostrate wheelman not had sufficient presence of mind to pull his machine out of the track of his fellow contestants.