TRIP MISSED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 14, 18 January 1938, Page 9

TRIP MISSED.

UNLUCKY CYCLIST.

empire games team.

HUGHES PACKED HIS BAG,

Ihe method of selection of the New Zealand cycling team for the Empire Games, and the belated decision to exclude the Aueklander, E. L. G. Hughes, after he had been given every reason to feel assured of the trip, is strongly resented by the cycling community in Auckland. Hughes was included in the provisional selection, he was congratulated on his inclusion in the team by the New Zealand Olympic and British Empire Games Association, and the required financial guarantee was forwarded to Wellington, but when the final team was announced by the New Zealand Amateur Cycling Association on Thursday last he was not included.

The secretary of the Auckland Cycling Centre, Mr. L. Wilson, made a special trip to Wellington over the week-end, and yesterday morning, after his return, he received advice that Hughes had again been included in the team. In t afternoon, however, telephonic advice was received in Auckland from the New Zealand Olympic and British Empire Games Association, which has the final say in the matter, that, despite the representation of the cycling body in Wellington, Hughes was not to be reinstated in the cycling team.

The Aueklander, however, left for Wellington this afternoon with the other Auckland representatives, the local authorities hoping that at the last moment justice would be done to Hughea. Giles' Three Wins. It was G. R. Giles' three victories at the. New Zealand championships at Christchurch on January 8 that upset the provisional selection. Giles won the 1000 metre sprint, 1000 metre time trial and the 10 mile race.

Hughes was expected to take part in the ID mile race and the time trial in Sydney, but when the team was announced on Thursday last his name was missing. Another Aueklander, R. T.

Taylor, who has not the same credentials as Hughes in the time trial, was included for that event, as well as for the sprint, in which lie is superior to Hughes.

As the result of Mr. Wilson's trip to Wellington it was understood that | Hughes would replace Taylor in the time trial (only three competitors from each ] country can participate in any single event), and that thus the hardship inflicted on Hughes would be removed. This arrangement, however, has been nullified by the decision of the authoritative body in Wellington. Meantime Hughes had been convinced by the information from the New Zealand Cycling Association yesterday morning that he was to make the trip, and he was present at the farewell to the Auckland athletes yesterday. «ONLY TENTATIVE." SELECTOR'S STATEMENT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Discussing the Auckland Amateur Cycling Centre's objection to the omission of E. G. L. Hughes from the t Empire Games' team, Mr. Tf. Hill, one of the selectors, said this morning that Hughes' inclusion was, in the first place, only tentative, and was subject to revision after the second trials at Cliristchureh on January 7 and 8. At the second trials his performance did not warrant his inclusion. Mr. Hill said that Hughes had been advised that his selection was only tentative. Although tliis was not stated when the nominations were submitted, most of the riders knew this was tho case. Any suggestion that Hughes should be sent at the cost of omitting Giles was absurd. If any New Zealand cyclist won anything it would be Giles.