MOTOR CYCLE SPORTS

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 31 January 1933, Page 6

MOTOR CYCLE SPORTS

REVIVAL OF JHAWERA CLUB PLAN FAVOURED BY RIDERS COMBINED' MEETING SUGGESTED Taranaki motor cyclists were well represented at a meeting in Hawera last evening for the purpose of resuscitating the Hawera Motor Cycle Sports Club, which has been in recess for a number of years. There was an attendance of 30 and of this number nine represented clubs in existence outside the Hawera district—Messrs J. Fenton, T. Robertson and J. Bail'd (representing the North Taranaki Motor Cycle OJub), J. S. Hamilton, G. Vickers and iD I . McNeill (Stratford Motor Cycle Sports Club) and F. Taylor, R. S. Peunial and El. Crockett (Eltham Motor Cycle Club). The visitors in particular were most enthusiastic and offered liberal support in the. event of a professional race meeting being held this year. It was resolved to approve the resuscitation of the club, and to approach the last-elected president with a request that a special general meeting of members he called to consider ways and means of catering for the revival of interest in the sport. The meeting was convened 'by Mr W. A. Spragg. of JTawera, president of the New Zealand Auto-Cycle Union and a member of the executive of the Hawera Motor Cycle Sports Club during the period in which it has been in recess. “Needless to say I am very pleased with the excellent response to my invitation to attend here this evening,” said Mr Spragg. The speaker reviewed the history of the Hawera. Club which, ho declared, was the most popular and the best-conducted club in New Zealand during the years when the' professional races”were held. The club did not cater so much in those days for weekend fixtures as for the professional sports, these meetings being held annually on the racecourse in Hawera. The Figment Racing Club eventually refused the club the use of its -track and the sport declined. The club, no longer able to fulfill its functions, went into recess, the same, thing happening at New Plymouth. During recent years small club's, had been formed .for hive purposes of conducting, hill climbing and fuel consumption tests, long .distance road races and. reliability trials, the members enjoying frequent weekend fixtures which usually attracted a large number of spectators. Motor cyclists in Hawera were anxious to participate in events of this nature and with proper organisation attractive programmes could be arranged for their benefit. Whilst the present club was in existence, however, it was necessary that representations be made to secure a. revival of its: activities. “Once the club becomes active I feel confident that we could obtain tllie racecourse again for a professional meeting besides carrying on small club fixtures every week-end or once a fortnight,” said Mr Spragg. The speaker made it clear at this .stage that he did not seek a revival of the club merely lor purposes of affiliation to the New Zealand AutoCycle Union, but for the sake of the sport which such a. club would provide its members and the public. “Of course affiliation would be necessary in the event of the club holding a professional meeting,” he-remarked. “That would ensure the attendance of the best riders and bump up gate receipts.”. At the conclusion of his remarks Mr Spragg was elected chairman and the business of the meeting was proceeded with. Mr H. Townslev, of Hawera, spoke of his experiences whilst honorary sec- \ retary of the New Plymouth Motor 1 Cycle Club for a period of six years until it went into recess following the action of the Taranaki Jockey Chib in refusing the use of the grounds and track. "“Our membership subscriptions were fixed at a nominal figure,” said Mr Towns ley, “and many delightful week-ends were spent on various excursions. During the winter months the members were kept together by socials, dances and card’parties.” The New Plymouth Club held professional meetings over a. period of five years and to-day its investments on fixed deposit aggregated £lO9. It- was. not a question of lack of funds or lack of interest that kept motor cycling back in.Taranaki. as lack of a track on which to hold meetings. -Mr Townslev spoke on details of administration and strongly advised intending members of the HaI wera Club to avoid the election of representatives ol the trade to executive office. “Welcome the trade as members or your club,” said Mr Townsley, “but not as executive officers.” Mr Spragg remarked that the old Hawera Club was most efficiently conducted. Representatives of the trade held various offices, hut there was no internal disorganisation of the nature experienced in New Plymouth. Mr Taylor asked whether there were any members of the -eld Hawera Club present at the meeting. Mr Spragg: Apparently not; the meeting was well advertised. Continuing, Mr Spragg said that he had interviewed several of the old members, but all were more or less. disinterested. On tbe other hand there were a number who were willing to take an active part in resuscitating the cluli. In reply to Mr Fenton, Mr Spragg said the object to to resuscitate the

club in ■order to resume the professional meetings. Mr Fentoni : That is what we want. Il llawera, will go ahead you can be sure of support from North Taranaki and Stratford. Voices : Hear ! hear ! Mr Townsley moved that the resuscitation. of the Fliawera. -Motor Cycle tion on this point was urgently needed. Sports Club he approved and that'steps be taken to induce the last-elected president to call a special general meeting to consider the matter. The motion was- seconded hy Mr R. W. Busing and carried unanimously. Mr Hamilton said that the other Taranaki clubs were anxious to see the Unworn. Club revived, in which event: there was a reasonable prospect of nj professional meeting being held.’ “Tara-; naki is lull of professional riders,” he said, “and all would welcome the opportunity of getting on to the racing track again.” Mr Spragg said that the general •opinion in llawera, .seemed to favour a I revival of those meetings. Mr Hamilton mentioned that in the case of the three clubs already in existence, three representatives were elected by each to a central executive j which arranged programmes. Three 1 members from Havera would be wel- • coined and it was even suggested that 1 if the mrecourse could be obtained that the four iduhs hold a. combined 1 race meeting, expenses and profits to he shared on an equal basis. , Mr Taylor said that if there was any . question of a guarantee lie would be ’ prepared to subscribe £5. N’o doubt ' there were other sportsmen who would , do the same. j At the conclusion of tlie meeting the - chairman said that .steps would be t taken immediately to arrange a meeting with members of the old Hawera Club. He thanked the visitors for their attendance and the Press for its assistance.