MANAWATU C.C.'S SPORTS.
[From Ocr. Own Correspondent.] WEDNESDAY, JANNARY 1. The inaugural meeting of the Manawatu Cycling Club took place on New Years' Day at Palmerston North on the clubs new track near the Fitzherbert bridge. Notwithstanding many counter attractions, including a monster picnic some distance from Palmerston and races at the attendance was splendid. His Worship the Mayor performed the ceremony of opening the grounds, and in doing so paid special compliments to the otlicera and members of the club for their energy and perserverance in securing such a realby good track and ground. Speaking of the latter it may safely be said that a better does not exist in the North Island with the exception, perhaps, of Napier. The Hawke's Bay one though is much smaller, and the visitors' accommodation not so extensive. The wind was against racing during the day, but notwithstanding some very fair time was recorded. In the Half Mile Dash S. Tliacker got home against a strong breeze in what the timekeepers gave as lmin 12sec, but several watches were against the time being so good. Thacker had most of the events as a gift, but in the two-mile, in which race was the highest prize of the day (£10) he was closely run by F. Hunt, who with a magnificent spurt ran second while giving Thacker 110 yds. The race of the day was tho five mile event, which was won by F. Hunt. The winner in the twelfth lap was nearly 500 yds behind M'Dowell, but spurting away, led at the last lap and won by about a couple of lengths, the third man being very close up. A. E. Hobb3, the Wanganui man, who had everything his own way at the recent meeting on the Association Grounds, was allowed every latitude by the handicapper, Mr R. Essex, but evidently was out of his place on the track, although he obtained a very deserving win in tho Consolation event. R. P. Clarkson, the crack, wa3 nowhere at scratch in the events for which he entered, and was seemingly out of condition, as indeed were several other competitors. Notwithstanding this, however, the events were keenly contested. The entries were good and much enthusiasm was shown over each event by the spectators. The starter, Mr D. Fake, the timekeepers, Messrs H. W. Haybittle and J. Merriman, together with the various officers connected with the Club, psrformed their duties in a very satisfactory manner, and altogether the inaugural meeting gives hope of very many promising results as to the future of the Manawatu Cycling Club, Before concluding I might mention that the site chosen for the Club's meetings lies close to the Manawatu river, near a lovely picnicking spot near to the Fitzherbert bridge, and as a point of attraction for visitors could not well be beaten by any other resort around the district. This in itself is a great point in the club's favour, and as it is only a few minutes' walk from tho Square to the grounds members will have the additional advantage of getting into constant training without having to take to the road for exercise. Results: —
One Mile Handicap. Ist prize, £2; 2nd, £1; 3rd, 10s. W. H. Lewis, 55yds, 1; VV. Andrews, scr, 2; E. Meyrick, 20yds, 3. Time, 2min 50 l-sth sec.
Half Mile Dash. Prizes same as Maiden. S. Thacker, 20yds, 1; J. M'Dowell, 25yds, 2; R. Clarkson, scr, 3. Time, lmin 12sec. Three Milk Roadster. Prizes same as Half Mile. A. A. Kernel], 460 yds, 1; C. Staffan, 360 yds, 2 ; A. '0. Buchler, 700 yds, 3. Time, Bmin 12 l-sth sec. One Mils Handicap. First prize, £3; second, £2; third, £I.—S. Thacker, 75yds, 1; C. Cattenach, 20yds, 2 ; Theo. Kitchen, 70yds, 3. Nine started. Time, 2min 312-sth sec. Hurry Scurry Race, one mile.— E. Dawick, 20yds, 1; J. Manning, scr, 2; D. Anderson, scr, 3. Time, 2min 55 3-sth sec. Six starters. Two Mile Wheel Race. First prize, £10 ; second, £6 ; third, £3.— S. Thacker, 120 yds, 1: F. Hunt, 10yds, 2; J. M'Dowell, 120 yds, 3. Nine entries. Time, smin 18 4-sth sec. Five Mile Roadster. First prize, £3; second, £2; third, £I.—A. A. Reynell, 700 yds, 1; W. H. Lewis, 750 yds, 2;E. A. Wnkeman, 800 yds, 3. Se%-en starters. Time, 14min 17sec. Five Mile Race. First Prize, £5; second, £3 ; third, £I.—F. Hunt, 20yds, 1; J. M'Dowell, 370 yds, 2; T. Kitchen, 300 yds, 3. Time, 13min 45 3-sth sec. Ladies' Bracelet, one mile and a half. First and second prizes.—S. Thacker, 85yds, 1; C. Staffan, 30yds, 2; W. H. Lewis, 230 yds, 3. Time, omin 55sec. Consolation Race, one mile.—A. E. Hobbs, 3yds, 1;J. H. Mingins, scr, 2: R. G. Forbes, 35yds, 3. Time, 2min 45 2-sth ccc.
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