OPENING DAY TO-MORROW.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 30, 5 February 1891, Page 2

OPENING DAY TO-MORROW.

TThe preparations which have been for so taanv weeks proceeding under the able! directorship of Mr J. Halyday, junr., for the Amateur Athletic Championships, commencing in the Domain Cricket Ground •to-morrow and finishing on Saturday, are now completed. If the clerk of the weather v/ill only smile on us for the next two days, success may be looked on aa assured. The ~acing track is in springy condition, and if iio more rain falls it should be conducive to last times being made. Everything points to the fact that the cycling and pedestrian events will be the best witnessed in Auckland. Among the numerous competitors are some of the fastest men from New South Wales, who have gained some of the highest honours in the athletic world. For some unaccountable reason, three of the Dunedin reps., Messrs J. Tararoa, P. J. Ness and R. G. Waldie, have nob arrived, and there does not seem much likelihood of them being here in time. The Southern cyclists are leaving no stone unturned to geb inbo condition for the meeting. Their course of preparation lao been to indulge in training twice daily. Wilmob (Rangiora) is looked upon as the crack rider of the team. His performances this season in Canterbury prove that he is the bewt rider of the year. He is a youthful rider, only just twenty years of age, bub, nevertheless, has a long list of meritorious performances, gained during the past four years. His first important performance was winning the Twenty-fi\o Mile Championship, when he was only sixteen years of age, and weighing a trifle over eight stono. Since that date he has cony peted in every important cycling event in Canterbury with more or loss success. His riding is a treat to %vitness, and the wonderful spurt he possesses usually carries him to victory. He is now in the pink of condition, and will no doubb show up prominently in all the championships. S. R. Sbeadzian (Taieri, Otago) is the veteran rider and one of the best all-round performers to be meb wibh. Ho has competed in a largo number of cycling races in Otago and Canterbury during his four years' residence in New Zealand. Previously he competed in numerous racee in Ireland, where he won several championships. He is a sterling rider ab all distances, with the heart of a lion. His best distance is from five to titty miles. He is regarded by the Otago people as the probable winner of the twenty-bye mile championship on Saturday. He is in good condition and can stay well. W. J. Hay ward (Christchurch) is a capital handicap rider, very fast on a fast track, and pedals in very graceful style. He, like the two previously mentioned, has beeu a consistent performer for a number of years and has won a large number of prizes. He is carefully trained, and will undoubtedly ride well in the shorb distance events. P. Ledsham (Chrisbohurch) is almost a maiden rider, having only taken to cycle racing three months ago. His first appearance on the racing path was at the 1 ioneer Club's meeting on Boxing Day, when he did not gain a place in the maiden race. At Rangiora on January Ist, he won several races in good style. Sincethen he has taken to a racing machine, and his improvement has been most marked. The Southern cyclists complain about tbe indifference of the onlookers here to keep a clear course when training, and also express the wish that people who intend being present on Friday and Saturday will take the precaution to leave their dogs at home. Brakes will leave the Imperial Hotel tomorrow at one o'clock to convey competitors and the Managing Commibtee to the ground. Local peds should remember to wear their club numbers on the jersey. The Auckland Club will for the first time fly their handsome new banner, which has been painted by Mise Dobson. It has recorded on ib the names of bhe winners of the victor ludorunus, both cycling and pedestrian, as well as bhe names of the Club champions. A smoke concert will be held on Saturday evening ab the Imperial Hotel, when His Worship the Mayor (vice-patron to bhe Auckland Club) will present bhe medals to the successful cornpetibors.