THE EXHIBITION CYCLING TRACK.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1290, 19 November 1896, Page 27

THE EXHIBITION CYCLING TRACK.

There was a very large attendance at the .Exhibition ground last Friday, when a number of local riders essayed to put up records. The grandstand was well patronised, and ! people were lined right round the enclosure. ■ The Garrison Hand was in at i'ennows • i ' g ,ve , b. U u • I i g i o i i • • ■ n ■ ; ' I h.ui - > ■’ >' . ■ J ; was ■ - i’b evui :ii, to ' he ... •- ••• ■ • • 1 . . U;'." 1 : >, i: ; Tfu ;• Gu:::s er; ■ . h>v.-.:w | Herbert paced am; ?.ho nvttb ia# •••/»«:. ! over in 2<3see, the two in 48sec, and the three

in lmin I4se». Later on he mad© another attempt, the same trio pacing, but he Could ouly put up lmin 14 3-sseo. F. B. Mui*-, -•amateur. champion, then had a shot at the tthreo miles, Barker's 7mm 56sec being the itiine set for beating. Ho was paced by Herbert and Jeffery, and also by Wilkins and Brodie on a tandem. The last-named performed the better work, but one of the tyres punctured. The first mile was negotiated in 2mm 30see, the two miles in smin 2seoj and ■the three in 7min 34 l-ssec. So it will be •seen that Muir put up a big ride. Three ‘cheers were given him on the time being announced. He expressed himself highly pleased with the racing “Columbia” ne is now riding, and on which the records were made. F. Castle next endeavoured to secure a half-mile record. .Herbert and Jeffery did the pacing, which was very poor, and the watch registered 'Amin 13 3-ssec, or a -fifth slower than the previous best time- The last spin of the (•evening was undertaken by A. H. Muir over ■.% mile. The time he had to beat was 2min 29sec, credited to F. Castle, and this he suo•c&ydedin towering to 2min 26 l-sseo.

The -fourth, meeting held on the Exhibition ■‘Sports ground and track took place on Satur■day night last, and was witnessed by a largo •crowd, who seemed to appreciate the programme.

Five events were got off altogether, exclusive of beats. J. Young won a double, the tihree-mile roadster event and the two-mile open handicap. The three milq roadster trace, confined to Alliance men, went te Johnston, who had no cause for complaint in the •matter of handicapping. The three other (Starters bad no chance with him. The 100 •yards slow race was run off the track between ohalk lines ; any competitor touching ground with bis foot, or allowing his hind wheel to wobble over the line being disqualified. Such stringent conditions had the effect of putting a number out of it. Muir ana Grove almost dead heated. It took the winner ■exactly as long to get over the 100 yards slowly as it usually does for him to get over a anile fast. It was a slow race, and the fact ■of the band emitting to play the Dead March was freely commented upon. E. N. Grove showed some dash in the one-mile open event, and won a nice race from F. AHstle,

During intervals in the racing the spectators were treated to a number of aerobatic feats, ground tumbling, trapeze work, &c., by a number of gymnasts, whose efforts were warmly applauded. One gave an exhibition of wire walking at a high altitude, and afterwards performed what was described as a “ glide for life,” coming down from the back of the Working Men’s Club building rather smartly on a wire. The Garrison Band played a variety of selections at short intervals, and helped to make the evening pass pleasantly. The proceedings went off without a hitch, thanks to the able way in which the officials carried out their duties. Results : Theee-i.iile Roadster Handicap (Cyclists’ Alliance). Prizes, .£2 and Ml. C. W. Johnston, 1 lap 107yds ... 1 L. T. Herbert, 270yds 2 G. Jeffery, 90yds ... ... ... 3 Also started —Grove, 90yds, who met Avith an accident, colliding with one of the flag sticks. Johnston had far too much handicap, and Avon easily. Time, Smin 14 2-ssec. Theex-mile Roadster Handicap (Cyclists’ Union). Prizes, M2 and <£l. J. Young, 10yds 1 H. Peacock, scr ... ... ... 2 G. H. Goodall, scr ... ... ... 3

Goodall led until the fourteenth lap, Avkcn his tAvo opponents made a move. Peacock seemed to lose a lot on the corners, and Young eventually beat him easily by six yards. Time, 9min Usee. 100yds Sloav Race (Cyclists’ Alliance). Prizes, .£1 and 10s. F. B. Muir 1 E. N. Grove 2

Muir won the first heat, his two opponents being’ disqualified at the start for putting their feet on the ground. Muir then started in the second heat, which was regarded as the final, and mauaged to go slow to just win. Time, 2min 26sec. One-mile Open Handicap (Cyclists’ Alliance). Prizes, <£l 10s and <£l. FIRST HEAT. F. Castle, 45yds ... ... ... 1 E. N. Grove, 40yds ... ... ... 2 C. W. Johnston, 115yds ... ... 3 Won by a wheel. Time, 2min 29 4-ssec. SECOND HEAT. J. W. Harker, 135yds ... ... 1 X/. T. Herbert, 55yds ... ... 2 G. Jeffery, 30yds 3 Won comfortably, Jeffery, who raced untrained, being a bad third. Time, 2mi» 35sec.

FINAL. E. N. Grove, 40yds ... 1 E. Castle, 45yds ... ... ... 2 Herbert, 55yds ... ... ... 3 Time, 2min 26 2-ssec, Two-mile Open Handicap (Cyclists’ Union). Prizes, .£2 and .£l. J. Young, 15yds ... ... ... 1 A. E. Wakeman, 120yds ... ... 2 G. H. Goodall, ser ... ... ... 3 K. Peacock, sor, also started. Won easily. Time, smin 32 4-ssec. J. Young, who won the Three-mile Roadster and Two-mile Open Races, rode a No. G Humber road racer, geared to 6GI, in both races.