NORTH OTAGO CYCLING CLUB.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 7272, 21 October 1891, Page 3

NORTH OTAGO CYCLING CLUB.

Tin- annual general meoting of tho Hbove Club was hold in the Coffee Rooms list evening, when there were 20 membora present. The following report was road and adopted : In presenting tho first annual roporfc your Committee may fairly congratulate tho members on tho success achieved during the Initial operations of the Club and the amalgamation of the formerly existing bodies, namely, the Oamaru and Tourists Cycling Clubs, which wai accomplished at tho early part of the leaaou, hts proved, as wm anticipated, a very desirable step. Finance. — The balance-sheet, just ready, shows the receipts for the year (including the amount on haud at the outset of L18 16s til ?« LC ? J 2 " lld » ttnd the expenditure It pa i '• le . ftvi °K a credit balance of L5 Zs 6d. Ihi» is not so satisfactory as wo should have wished. The decrease is accounted for in tho fact that the weather on the day of the sports meeting was most unpropitious, consequently the takings at the gate wore small. We can only hope, lowover, to bo moro favored by that erratic . individual, tho clerk of the weather, on tho , next similar occasion. • Sports Meeting.— With the exception above mentioned, tho sports held on February 26th were an immense success, the bicycle events being the best ever witnessed in Oama.ru, every race creating tho keenest competition. The riding of Mr W. Lawson i" deaerving of mention, ho having won three races, besides making a record for 1 mile roadster. Tho time, 3mins 9 and 4-5th sees, ia a good performance for tin Show Ground track of eight laps to the mile. Ihe foot racing was also of an interesting nature. Wo cannot proceed without congratulating tho Club on possessing a handicapper who so correctly gauges the capabilities of the competitors as does Mr John Miller. Tho manner in which ho brings his fields together in tho last lap is worthy of all praise. Racing Track.— The North Road track leased by the Club showed a slight improvement during the season, yet it does not present a surface suitable for tho making of fast times. Wo understand, however, that the lessors will take the necessary steps to- ! wards this end shortly. Records may therefore bo anticipated. Racing men will regret to learn that the negotiations of tho i Caledonian Society with the \giicul rural Association, re tho extension ot the Show i Ground track, have not been icsultful. | Bicycle races on this track have long been i conducted with great danger to competitors, and spills have been frequent o late, ! with tho result that raciug men aro chary of venturing. J Club Runa and Road Riding.— The for t- 1 nightly runs were fairlv well attended, but there is yet room for improvement in this respect. Road riding was considerably indulged in during the season by members, moro especially Messrs A. Wilson, A. Familton, J. M'Queen, C. Grant, and H. Grocott. Ihe most notable ride wa3 that I of Messrs Farr and Smith from Oamaru to i Christchurch. The excursion proved a , most enjoyable one, and were their examp^o t followed by tho other members of the Club the true enjoyment of cycling would be ex- - pcrienced. To add to the pleasure of the J I above trip Messrs Farr and Smith received ' cordial treatment at the hands of the ' Pioneer and Ashburtou Cycling Clubs' mem- ( bers. In order to cater for the require- ' inentB of Club men who do not compete on < the racing path, we would suggest to tho i incoming committee the desirability of hold- i ing a road race during the approaching iea- I son We think an event of this description j would create considerable interest both | among wheelmen and the public. Membership.— Tho members' roll (active * and inactive) numbers 63, which wo hope to n see considerably augmented during the pre•ent season. We look to each member, in- ( dividiully, for assistance In this direction. ' Donations. — The sincere thanks of the ' club are due to Messrs James Martin, J. C. < Anderson, R. Young, W. Ricketts, G. I Procter, A. Johnston, and E. Procter for < their kind donations. ; Personal.— The club has been unfortunate , in losing the services of their late secretary, , Mr R. P. Hood, who has departed for Wei- j lington. In the conduct of his duties ho displayed great energy and willingness, and in him we lose an ardent worker, Tho club has also sustained a loss in tho departure for Invercargill of Mr David Todd, who long ' took an active iutercst in cycling matters in J Oamaru. Retiriug Shots. -In handing over tho reins of office we confidently trust that ; members will co-operate in the advance* i ment of the interests of the Club and , cycling generally. Only by working hand in haud throughout tho season can tho Club be piloted safely through. Let us hope to be able to say that your labors have not been in vain. The election of officers resulted as follows : President, Mr James Martin ; vice-presidenta, Messrs CJ. M. Procter, J C. Anderson, D. W. M. Burn, nnd J, Moss ; captain, Mr W. Liwson ; deputycaptain, Mr W. E. Farr ; bugler, Mr R. Appleby ; hon. treasurer, Mr A. Familton ; committee, Messrs J. Miller, H. Grocott, A. Mackay, A. C. Barnes, It. Young, W. Wylie, D. Miller, and R. M'Dowell ; hon. secretary, Mr Jamen M'Liren, The following new members were duly elected : Messrs W. Duguid, J. M'Ewen, J. O'Neill, It. M'Dowell, W. Miller, J, Muddigan, T. Richmond, R. Appleby, and (Jr. Mathewson. Three delegates were appointed to represent tho Club at tho annual meeting of the Cyclists' Alliance, to be held on the 26th hist. Tho opening run of the season waa fixed for the 29th inst ; to meet at the Post Office at 2.30 o'clock. Votes of thanks were accorded to tho retiring officers and committee, and a vote of thanks to the chair concluded the proceedings.