CASH V. AMATEUR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 42, 20 February 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

CASH V. AMATEUR.

(To the Editor.)

Sib,—lb is much to be regrebbed that bhe public spirit displayed by the Auckland Cycling Club in holding a carnival in aid of renovating the Domain pavilion did not meet with greater success. Now tbab the meeting is over one feels forced bo refer to bhe rather unfriendly spiriu exhibited by some of our local amateurs towards the faa'b spreading system of canh cycling. Such feeling is calculated to retard one of bhe manliesb sports of bhe century. In England and in America cash races and amateur races are held on the same day and on the same ground, and in America one body, ' The League of American Wheelmen' control the two classes of athletes. Why, I ask, should nob the same eyatom exist in New Zealand ? There is not the slightest doubt that the cash eyebem is gaining ground all over thecolonies especially in New Zealand, and ib is futile for anybody to endeavour to ref&rd tfoa progress. The League of Now Zealand Wheelmen now numbers 26 affiliated clubs, boasting & much larger membership in the aggregate »han any other , ycling body in New Zealand. The officials of this body have always endeavoured to provide straight and bonest riding, why, therefore, should our Iocs! amateurs display such a hostile feeling? L«6 ac hope thao for bhe future,

cyclists of both bodies will work more in harmony for the well-being of cycling generally.—l am, etc., Vkbax. FOOTBALL. I bear thab a number of the Torpado Corps men who have bean transferred from Wellington are well known foobb^ lor. 8.; They will, of course, play for the iNortn Shore Football Club. Inquiries have been mad© by an auckland resident from the English Football Association as to the practicability ot aa English Association football team *i«ting New Zealand noxt wintar, and a reply naa been received intimating thab the Association is unable to send a team this year.