THE CYCLING SPORTS.

Evening Star, Issue 9582, 31 December 1894, Page 2

THE CYCLING SPORTS.

The management of the Otago Cycling Club are to be congratulated on the manner in which Saturday's sports meeting. was conducted) the strictest punctuality being observsd in getting off the events, and the tim,e takers, lap keepers', and other officials discharging their duties in a satisfactory manner. The wind, however, blew lip off the harbor and across the Caledonian Ground with great force, raising dusts of wind, to the discomfort of the competitors'; and the track, in consequence of the recent spell of exceptionally dry weather, became exceedingly loose after the opening events had been got off. It was this fact that accounted for the withdrawal of Hay ward (Christchurch) and Reynolds (Auckland) from the Three-mile Championship, the event thus being robbed of a good deal of its interest. An exciting race was, however, furnished, Pitlier forging ahead in the final run home, and winning by 18in from Hall. The Duncdin competitors were unplaced. A special prize given for the competitor who passed the post hrst most frequently during the race was won by Hall. Hayward took part in the Five-mile Open Handicap, in which he finished second, but was unable to get near Barclay, whose staying powers had been underrated by the handicapper. Results :

250 Yards Flat Handicap.—T. L. Martin (15yds) 1, G. M'Millan (7yds) 2. Also started: W. V. Kingston (scratch). C. G. Brodie (7jds), W. hj. Coivin (7yds), H. Wilkinson (18yds), and J. C. Maclean (27yds). Won by a couple of yards. Time. 28 2-ssec. One-mile Roaster Handicap.-C. H. Arndt (Otago C.C., 100 yds) 1, W. Bull (Dunedin CC, 120 yds) 2, A. Mundeu (Otago CO., 120yd5)3.. This event was run in heats. In addition to the above, H. Cameron (35yds) and A. M'Nab (110 yds) started in the final. Won by half a dozen yards. Time, 2niiu 45 l-ssec. One-milE. First Class Handicap.—Owing to a mistake, this event was practically run in one heat, and resulted as follows: It, Emerson (Dunedin CC, 35yds) 1, E. 11. Cl;#ke (Palmcrston CC, 95yds) 2, E. Reynolds (Auckland CC, scratch) 3. Also started: C J. Home (70yds) and J. Goldstone (95yds). A fine race; won by six. inches, and same distance separating second 'and third, Timu,*2inin 38 3-ssec. Half-mile Flat Race.—W. F. Bennett (scratch) 1, J. C Maclean (65yds) 2, T Trcbilcock (55yds) 3. Also started: W. C Crane (Myds), E. M'Millan (30yds),. and T. L. Martin (45yds). Maclean led till about thirty yards f.om home, when Beniiutt, who had the others lii trouble early in the race, overhauled him; and Won by three yards. Time, 2min lOsee. Three-mile Championship of Otago.—H. J. Pither (Pioneer 8.C., Christchurch) 1, C E. T. Hall (Timaru Tourists' CC.) 2, F. G. Simpson (Pioneer 8.C.) 3. Also started: S. R. Stedman (Otago CC), R. Emerson (Dunedin CC), J. Whelan (Timaru Tourists' CC), and R. M'Kenzie (Otago CC). Stedman started to make the pace, and at theend of a lap he led, with M'Kenzie second, but in the second round Hall ran through, and was in the van passing the stand, with Stedman second and Pither third. At the end of a mile the order was: Hall, Stedman, M'Kenzie, Pither, Simpson, Emerson, but there was not twenty yards between the lot. The mile anda-halfsaw Hall still showing the way ; then came Stedman, M'Kenzie, Emerson, with Pither and Simpson' goiiu' strongly in the reur. Half a mile further on the order was practically the s une, Hall being still in front, with Stedman and M'Kenzie next; but Pither had run up into fourth position. In the ninth lap Stedman dashed to the front, and Pither, also making a forward move, occupied second position, just in front of Hall and Simpson. The effort, however, was an expiring one on Stedman's part, as in the next lap he dropped back beaten. M'Kenzie, too, was done with. Entering on the final lap Hall was in front, with Pither second ; but in the run home Pither put in an unmistakeable claim, and won a well-judged race by 18in from the Timaru representative, with Simpson (who hails from Kirwee) a capital third. Time, Smin 32 l-s:ec. Two-mile Roadster Handicap.—J. Tisdale (Otago CC, 240 yds) 1, W. Gibson (O.C.C, 135 yds) 2, E. H. Clarke (Palmcrston CC, (iQyds) 3. Also started: H. Cameron (u'Svds), W. J. Morgan (85yds), T. Maw (90yds). J. W. Simmers (90yds), F. Itarraway (120 yds), E.' Morgan (125 yds), W. Bell (200 yds), A. Griffon (210 yds), S. Wright (210 yds) and J. M'Pheo (210 yds). This was virtually a race between Tisdale and Gibson, and the limit man won by a couple of feet. Five-mile Open Handicap.—L. Barclay (O.C.C, 520 yds) 1, W. J.S. Hayward (Pioneerßicycle Club, scratch) 2, F. G. isimson (Pioneer 8.C., 45yds) 3. Barclay led all the way and won by nearly a lap. A good race for second place ensued between Hall (30yds), Hayward, Pither (scratch), and Simpson, Hayward winning by a short distance from Simpson, Pither coining in next, and then Hall. Time, 14min 4b'Jsec.

The memlers (f the Otago Cycling Club entertained the visiting riders from other centres at a smoke concert, held in Watson's hotel, on SaturcUy evening. There were about eighty in all present, and a very enjoyable evening was passed. Mr A. Thomson, president of the club, presented the successful competitors with their wellearned trophies, and the rest present added the musical honors and drank the visitors' healths. One of the added honors and pleasures of the evening was the presence of Drs Fulton- and Jeffcoat, of the Dunedin Cycling Club, who expressed themselves greatly pleased at having been present at such a successful race meeting, and praised the enthusiasm of the members of the junior club, who had worked so hard to bring the club to the premier position—a position which ho (Dt Jeffcoat) maintained the O.C.G undoubtedly at present held. The remarks of Messrs Reynolds and Hay ward were noteworthy and to the point. They said that they were disappointed with the track, and that the Dunedin Club need not expect firstclass men to compete until a good track was provided. The proceedings came to a close with tbe singing of ' Auld lang syne.'