LEAGUE OF WHEELMEN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12425, 14 February 1901, Page 6

LEAGUE OF WHEELMEN.

A meeting of the North Canterbury Centre of the League of New Zealand Wheelmen was held in the Clarendon Hotel last evening; present —Messrs T. Clarkson (chairman), I. S. Montagu, D. J. Fraser, G. Berry, P.,D. Kesteven, J. E. Greenland E. J, Righton (secretary). Tho, League Council wrote with regard to the condition of the Ashburton track, and it was decided to request the Ashburton Consul'to see that the track was in- good and safe condition for the sports meeting to be held shortly. H. M’Artney applied for reinstatement as an amateur. He stated that he had ridden for two years on the. West Coast as an amateur, but on removing to a district where there was no amateur racing he had joined the cash ranks, and had competed four times. Having taken up his residence in Christchurch he wished to again race as an amateur. It was decided to refer to the Westland Centre for a recommendation. As the Ellesmere C.O. had not answered the Centre’s request for a courteous reply to one of its communications, the Secretary was instructed to -again write to the club on the matter. It was decided that for the present season clubs affiliated to the Centre should be entitled to one delegate for each club, and one vote for each fifty paid up members or portion of fifty on the club’s roll at the end of the financial year, with a maximum of four votes; also that the fees to the Centre should) bs 10s 6d for each vote the club is entitled to, with a maximum subscription of £2 2s. The' Secretary was . instructed to write to -the Kaiapoi, Ellesmere and Canterbury A. and C.O. with reference to the unsatisfactory representation of those clubs at Centre meetings. It- was decided to abandon the proposed evening sports meeting. The-ques-tion of betting- at cycle meetings was discussed. - Mr Green said there was an impression abroad that the League winked at tho betting. The Chairman pointed out that ■the League rules distinctly forbade riders from betting, tinder penalty of suspension. He added that: the statements which had been mad© concerning betting at cycle meetings in Christchurch had been grossly exaggerated. The amount of betting that took plage was very limited. At the same time. no harm could be done by setting up a committee to investigate the matter’. Messrs . Green, Fraser, Montagu, and Batchelor were accordingly appointed* a subcommittee to ascertain to what -extent, if any, the League rule relating to betting was being violated.

A meeting of tho committee of tho Canterbury Athletic and Cycling Club was held in the City Hall on Tuesday evening; present —Messrs J. H. Parker’'(chairman), F. D. Kesteven, F. MTieclinie, J. F. Best, I. Montague, A. J. Marshall, J. Kennedy and E. ,J. Righton (secretary). The Secretary was instructed to take stops to make an immediate collection of outstanding subscriptions. A schedule of charges for the upstairs hall was agreed to, and the Secretary was 'instructed to let -the hall accordingly. It was decided to invite representatives of other sports associations to the smoke concert to be«held on Thursday evening for the purpose of inaugurating the club’s removal to its new clubhouse, the premises lately occupied by the Young Men’s Christian Association. Air Montagu© reported having arranged an excellent programme for the occasion. . Air J. H. Parker offered a trophy for a road race for club members, from tbs Hospital to the Wheatsheaf and back, the date to be fixed at a later meeting. The Chairman stated that he had arranged for the photos of the officers of the club and members of the committee to be taken -at Alessrs Stnnclisli and Preece’s, and that they should then be framed and placed in the club 'rooms. It was resolved that a vote of thanks should he accorded to Mr Parker for his donations a nd general interest in the welfare of the club. Four new members were elected.