WELLINGTON CYCLING CLUB.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1280, 10 September 1896, Page 27

WELLINGTON CYCLING CLUB.

The following is a resume of the report for tho season of 1895-96, to be presented by the Committee of the Wellington Cycling Club at the annual meeting tomorrow eveniug:—

Your Committee have much pleasure in presenting you with tho fourth annual report, and congratulate the Club on having passed through a successful season. Pinanci alj. —The finances of the Club are in a very satisfactory condition. The receipts from all sources during the year amounted to £1241, and tho expenditure to £1228 5s 3d, leaving a crodit balance of £ll2 14s 9d. The expenditure includes tho purchase of piano, the money loaned by members for that object having been refunded. The liabilities of tho Club are nil, and tho assets are valued at £1(18 7s 3d.

Club Runs. —During tho season ton club runs wore held, and they were all, with tho exception of the opening run, very poorly attended. The average attendance was ten. In connection with the club runs, your captain gave a gold and a silver badge as first and second prizes for attendance. These were won by Mr T. Lynch and Mr J, Brodie, who secured 27 and 20 points respectively out of a possible 30. Your Committee suggest that this meeting take into consideration the question as to whether or not these fortnightly runs should be continued, and that a recommendation be made to the incoming committee on tLo subject. ChOB Races. —Six club road races were held during tho season, and they brought out fair fields. The Twenty-mile Championship was won for the second time in succession by Mr T. M. Lucy, who therefore wins right out the cup presented by the Quinton Cycle Co. The Fifty-mile Championship was won by Mr G. Jeffery. Tho Club is indebted to Messrs Muir, Cameron and Christie, Smith, Brand, Inglis and Hood for donations towards these races. (Top. !.’()■ cu At the lest atinnnl meeting

the opinion was expressed by members that if a piano and a more suitable room was obtained, it would tend to increase the attendance of members at the club room. Your Committee acted upon this suggestion, and by the kindness of a few members were also enabled to purchase a piano at a coat of

*£2s. Tbe Club is indebted to Messrs Inglis, Christie, Cerchi, W. Castle, Brand, Jeffery, Lucy, Petherick, Fear and Harton, -who advanced the money for purchasing the piano. The socials instituted by the Committee proved unsatisfactory in the matter of increasing the attendance of members. Your Committee would suggest that our successors in office be instructed as to the continuance of the present room, or whether a more suitable one shall be obtained.

Sports Meeting. —The sports meeting was in every way a success. Splendid fields faced the starter in each event, and they were all well contested. The Five-mile Provincial Championship was won for the third time in succession by Mr F. B. Muir. In connection with the sports our thanks are due to the Union Co. for the use of ticket boxes, the Midland Cricket Club for the use of their room, the W.A.A.C. for the use of their plant and room, Mr Tingey for printing two large calico streamers, and Messrs Brandon, Brand, Wright, Izard, Grady, G. and T. Young, Jenness and Co., Fear, Ho3ie and Bell, Grove, Christie, McKee and Gamble [and N. Oate3 for donations to the prize fund. Track. —During last season the frequent accidents that happened on the Basin Reserve clearly demonstrated the want of a proper cycling track. Your Committee approached the directors of the Athletic Park Co. with the object of having one laid down for the ensuing season, and were met with the demand for 200 fully paid-up shares before the work could be gone on with. Your Committee called a public meeting, at which His Worship the Mayor presided, to see what support could be got in raising the money. It was not very well attended, and little resulted. It was' decided that the two clubs should canvass for the shares. This has been done, with the result that .£l3l 10s, representing 128 fully paid-up shares and 14 payable in calls of 5s per month, has been handed over to the Athletic Park Co. They have accepted our assurance to obtain the balance of the shares and have gone on with the work. Work was commenced last Monday morning, and it is hoped that it will be finished by the New Year. Shares are still required to be taken up, and your Committee invite the assistance of members in obtaining them. The thanks of cyclists are due to Mr Brand for his efforts on behalf of the track. He has been particularly energetic in his canvass for shares, and secured no fewer than 65. Touring. —Messrs Muir and Macandrew journeyed through the Hot Lakes district, Messrs Smith and McCallum rode through to Auckland, Messrs Jessup, Gardner and Avery through to Rotorua, Messrs Jessup Brothers from Pieton to Dunedin via the West Coast, and Mr W. Castle to Napier. Racing. —[The record of local racing was given in this column last week.—“ Cyclometer.”] Messrs Herbert, Lucy and Jeffery competed at the Pioneer (Christchurch) Bicycle Club’s meeting; Mr A. H. Hunt at Masterton; Messrs Castle Brothers at Napier, where they were very successful; Messrs Fabian and Brodie went to Wanganui, the latter having to return without competing owing to postponement of sports on account of wet weather ; and Mr Lucy competed at Nelson.. Mr Fabian’s record from Napier to Wellington of 22hr 40min, breaking the previous record by an hour, has been recognised by the Alliance. Your Committee desire to thank Mr S. E. Wright for his long services as handicapper to the Club. As he is unable to continue to act in that capacity, it will be necessary to appoint a successor. In conclusion, your Committee congratulate members on the success of the past season, and trust that they will do their best to assist the incoming committee to make the season upon which we are now entering even more successful.