North Otago Cycling Club.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XIX, Issue 6046, 11 September 1894, Page 4

North Otago Cycling Club.

The annual meeting of the above Club was held in the Globe Hotel last night, when there was a fair attendance, the Captain (Mr W. Lawson) occupying the chair.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read.and confirmed.

The Balance-sheet and annual report were adopted as read. The report was as follows :

"In presenting the fourth annual report your Committee have reason to offer their congratulations to the members in again having piloted the club safely through an important year's operations. "Finance.—The balance-sheet placed before you shows the receipts for the year to have been Ll2l 8s lOd (including a balance carried forward of L 27 7s, and the expenditure Llll 9s 4d, which leaves a credit of L 9 19s 6d. This is not a large balance, but when the heavy expenses are taken into account it must be considered satisfactory. " Racing.—The annual race meeting, held on the Ist March last, was a brilliant success from a racing point of view. The attendance of the public, although large, was hardly up to expectations, nor in keeping with the sports provided, for it was admitted on all sides that never before was the Oamaru public treated to such excellent racing. The Mile Championship of New Zealand was won by Mr Ken Lewis, whose splendid riding was the feature of the meeting. The Grand Two-mile Wheel Race was, however, productive of the greatest excitement, a magnificent finish taking place between the champions Ken Lewis and Jack Boyd, the latter winning on the tape. The other Christchurch riders who favored us with a visit, namely Lilly, Barker, Bate, Clarkson, Joss, and Wilson, have also established themselves hot favorites with the Oamaru public, and their next visit is looked forward to with keen interest. The finishes at the meeting were such as paid a high tribute to our handicapper, Mr John Miller, who gauged the capabilities of the several riders to a nicety. Of the club riders Mr J. Rapson gained most prominence during the season, and we hope to hear more of him, as well as other young local wheelmen on the racing track. Members will be pleased to see that a club of the same persuasion as ourselves has been formed in Dunedin, and an exchange of compliments will doubtless take place between the racing men of both clubs. " Road Riding.—A race to Hilderthorpe and back for a gold medal, kindly presented to the Club by Messrs Adams, Curties, and Co., was held on loth March, which event was won in a very creditable manner by Mr A. M'Taggart. " Track.—Although the track was put in first-class trim for the sports, at other periods of the season it was neglected. It will be a matter for the incoming committee to endeavor to arrange with the lessors to have the track attended to, and kept in a ridable condition throughout the season.

"Donations and Obligations. —The thanks of the Club are due to Messrs R. Davidson, J. B. Grave, O. R. Wise, J. Familton, G. M. Procter. C. C. Probert, J. Fitzgerald, J. Ogilvie, and the Caledonian Society for their kind donations. The local papers also deserve the thanks of the Club for the publicity given to cycling matters. While in this strain the Club desires to acknowledge the able assistance rendered by Mr R. L Rule and other members of the Caledonian Society. "Finally.—ln handing over the reins of office your committee solicits the hearty co-operation of each individual member during the ensuing season. With each one doing a little towards advaucing the interests of the Club, and the ever increasing popularity of cycling, it is safe to predict a continuance of prosperity." The following new members were elected : Messrs J. Jack, A. Jack, W. Drennan, A. M'Farlane, R. Smart, R. Appleby, W. Fraer, K. Lewis, and G. Dale. The election of officers resulted as follows : Patron : Mr J. M 'Lean ; president : Mr J. Reid; vice-presidents : Messrs W. Waddel), O. R. Wise, J. B. Grave, W. Bee, J. Miller, J. Familton, and W. Lawson; captain: Mr Alex. Familton ; sub-captain : Mr D. Miller ; hon. secretary: Mr J. M'Laren; hon. treasurer : Mr A. J. Grave ; bugler : Mr D. Johnston ; auditor : Mr R. M'Dowell; committee : Messrs J. Ranson, K. Lewis, W. Hedley, W. Wylie, A. M'Kay, J. Bee. W. Alexander, and C. Church; track committee: Messrs A. Familton, A. J. Grave, J. M'Laren, and J. Rapson.

It was resolved to hold the opening run of the season on Thursday, 18th October.

A hearty vote of thanks to the outgoing officers and committee, and a similar compliment to the chair terminated the meeting.