SPEEDING TRAFFIC BARKING DOGS Cyclists Blamed Fencers On Guard

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31124, 29 July 1966, Page 15

SPEEDING TRAFFIC BARKING DOGS Cyclists Blamed Fencers On Guard

♦Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

New Zealand road cyclists are concerned about the attitude of the Jamaican public to them expressed in shouted comments as they pedal around the countryside on training rides.

They are unable to quote any specific offensive remarks but they have a definite impression from comments that are con- . tinually being directed their way that their activities are not altogether popular. The answer could be in the reply received by the

team manager, Mr R. Shakespeare, when he complained that the speed of traffic on the roads assigned for training constituted a danger to the cyclists. He was told that the local residents regarded the speed of cyclists as they whirl along the roads as more of a danger to their dogs and other animals. “It is something we can’t do much about We have just got to accept the situation,” said Mr Shakespeare.

New Zealand fencers at the Empire Games had their first contest on Wednesday night—against a pack of dogs at the games village. Annoyed beyond endurance soon after midnight by the barkinc of dogs that are allowed to stray around the village, R. Binning grabbed a sabre and K. Mann armed himself with an epee as they set out to round up the nuisances. They were joined by Mr B.

E. Courtney, the wrestling section manager, who could not match the sophisticated weapons of the fencers but found a length of wood to use. The four offending dogs soon succumbed to the New Zealand assault troops and were herded into a porter’s office, together with the astonished porter. The official was warned of what would happen if he allowed the animals out before the morning. “The dogs are really bad. One barks and then the lot bark,” said Binning today. Officials from several teams have protested repeatedly about the yelping of stray dogs but so far games organisers have taken no effective action.