A CYCLING INQUIRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1851, 30 March 1904, Page 56

A CYCLING INQUIRY.

CHRISTCHURCH,

March 25,

The North Canterbury Centre of the League t>f Wheelmen, hold an inquiry last evening into the alleged interference with Major Taylor in the Invitation Scratch Mile at the Christchurch Club's meeting on December 19. After the evidence of J Sutherland, R. Arast, and R. Connell, the other competitors in the race, and the chief consul, who reported as to blocking, had been tieard, the centre decided that Taylor aad -got into a bad position, and was afterwards prevented from getting out, which, however, was justifiable.

LEAGUE OF WHEELMEN'S CHAMPION-

CHRISTCHUECH, March 26.

•Hie League of Wheelmen's championships were decided at Lancaster Park to-day in fine weather. An accident occurred in the Fivemile Cash Eace, K. Arnat falling and breaking his. collarbone. Subsequently Connell, who finished second, was disqualified for the day for boring Amst, and Sutherland, who finished first, was disqualified -for collusion with Con3iell. Sutherland and Randrup were left at ,ihe post' in the Three-mile event, and the fformer was fined £2 for abusing the starter. Sutherland was. in great form, sprinting uncommonly well, and Conn«ll showed good form. Of v the amateurs Reynolds and Oates were a Jong way ahead of the others. Turned (New South: Wales) rode consistently, but iailed in sprinting powers. The following are the refiults: — .

Half-mile Cash Championship. — G-. Sutherland (Chiistcliurch) 1, R. Connell' (Temuka) 2, A. Huston (Christchurch) 3. Connell led into the -straight, but Sutherland put in a great Bprint, winning by a lengths and a-half. Time, 83sec. —

One-mile Amateur Championship. — TV. Reynolds (Wellington) 1, T. Oates (Christchurch) 8, D. Rodgers (Temuka) 3. Reyonlds led into the straight)- and wgh by a clear length. Time, 2min 15see.

Five-mile Motor Championship. — D. J. M'lntyre's 2 horse-power Mitchell (driver J. Taylor) 1, T. G. Williamson's 2 horse-power Mitchell (driver F. Smith) 2. Taylor led all the way, winning easily by 350 yards. Time, 7min 44 3-ssec. c*e * Five-mile Cash Championship. — M. Randiup {Victoria) 1. Sutherland and Connell were first and second, but were disqualified, and the race ■was awarded to Randrup. Arnst fell. Sutherland's time was llmin 30sec.

Half-mile Amateur Championship. — T. Oates <Christchurch) 1, W. Reynolds (Wellington) 2, D. Rodgers (Temuka) 3. The final sprint was very fast, Oates beating Reynolds by a foot. Time, Imin 14 2-ssec Five-mile Amateur Championship. — Reynolds 1, Oates 1 2, Rodgsrs 3. Won easily by two lengths. Time, 12min IS l-53ec. ■ One-mile Cash Championship. — Sutherland 1, Randrup 2, Huston 3. The field was bunched at 100 yards from home, but Sutherland came with a rush, and won by a length. Time, 2min 15sec.

Three-mile Cash Championship.— Hustoii 1, S. Barrow (Manawatu) 2, J. Harinan (Hawke's Bay) 3. Sutherland and Randrup were left at "the post, lot being ready to start. Huston •waited till the straight was reached, when he came away, winning .by a length. Time, 7min £ 3-osec. Three-mile Amateur Championship. — Oates 1, Reynolds 2, A-V. Turner (Sydney) 3. Oates caught Reynolds napping 70 yards from home, Rnd secured a length's lead, which he kept to the finish. Time. 7min 15sec. One-mile Public Schools' Championship. — .Won by L. Hammon in 2min 43sec.

CYCLING IN AUSTRALIA.

(From Oxtb, Own Cobrespondent.) MELBOURNE, March' 16. First Day. THE SYDNEY THOUSAND.

Last Wednesday night saw the opening of the "Sydney Thousand" cycling carnival. It took place on the ciucket ground, and there •waE an attendance of 15,000 people. Major Taylor and Macfarland met in an event over five miles. They collided, and Macfarland was eeriously interfered with. Subsequently Taylor, who was the winner, wa.3 fined £5 for careless riding. Results : — Lavender Handicap, half a mile. — A. i«. O'Brien, 95yds, 1; W. A, K. Harnis, 110 yds, 2; H. Gordon. 85yds, 3. Taylor, who was one of the- starters, finished fifth. Won by alength. Time, 55sec. Sydney Thousand, one mile ;£750, £100, £50. Heat-winners divide £100. Winner? of preliminary heats £5, winners of semi-finals £8, ■winners of special semi-finals £5. Preliminary heats: First five to start in serai-fiiials. Semi-finals: First in each semi-final to slarb in final. Seconds, thirds, fourths, fifths in the semi-finals to race again in two special semifinals. First three in 3ach heat tc start m the final. First five to qualify for semi-final ; first in this event £5. — First heat— H. Furtiero (Vie), 130ycb, 1 ; H. J. Symonds (Vie)., 15Oyds, 2; G. H. Horder (N.S.W.), 120 yds, 3. Won by a length. Time, Imin 57sec. Second heat — G. M'Lean (N.S.W.), 130 yds, 1; P. B. Quin-

lan (N.S.W.), 150 yds, 2; F. J. Simpson (.N.S.W.), 200 yds, 3." Won by several lengths. Time, Imin 56 2-ssec. Third hpat— J. Chalmers (New Zealand), 50yds, 1; G. J. Farley (Vie), 40yds, 2; F. H. Scheps (Vie), 30yds, 3. Won by half a length. Tune, limn 59 3-ssec.

The Petersham, five miles. — Taylor 1, Downting 2, Walker 3. There were 18 starter?. Taylor followed M'Donald, and Macfarland stuck ta Downing's wheel. In the last lap M'Donald put on a terrific pace, but when half the distance was covered M'Donald dropped out, and Taylor took thejead, Macfarland being; in close pursuit. Passing the ladi.ci,' pavilion, MacfaTland seemed to come down from the outside of tb,e track in ordei to got closer to Taylor. The next instant it was seen that ilacfarlr.iid had stopped, owmg to some spokes of his front whssl collapsing. Taylor went on at a great pace, and won by two lengths from Downing, with Walker a close third. Time, lOmin 48 2-ssec

Siicond Day.

The meeting was continued 1 last Saturday night in the presence of about 10,000 people. Major Taylor and Floyd Macifarland shared the honours between them, tho former winning his heat of the big handicap, the Sydrfey Thousand, in good style, while the big American won the one-mile final of the Mosnian Handicap in -world's competition, recoicl time, Imin 49sec. Great interest was taken in Major Taylor's heat of, the 'Thousand," and it was a splendid race, the champion being brought ur> to his field in the seoond lap by Stevens and M'Donald. At the bell, M'Donald went to the front, and after a fine racing lap, was just beaten on the post by Trylor. Results: — Mosman, Handicap. £12, £2, £1. One mile. First in each heat and second in the tv»o fastest heats to compete m final.— Final— Floyd Macfarland (U.S.A.), scratch, 1 ; D. J Plunkett (N.ZT), 130 yds, 2; R. W. Webster (N.S.W.), 160 yds, 3. Won by three lengths. The field was divided into two divisions, and there was some remarkably fine pacing. Macfarlanrl did not catch Phmkett until a half-lap from home. Walker, Farley, and M'Donald paced Macfarland splendidly. Time, Imin 49sec—-world's-competition record.

Sydney Thousand.— Fourth heat— C. A. Best (Vie), 100 yds, 1; W. A. Cartwright (N.S.W.), -150 yds, 2; D. Harvison (N.S.W.), 150 yds, 3A. J. Bsrgin (N.8.W.), 180 yds, 4; H. Creighion (N.S.W.), 200 yds, 5. Nine starters. Won by two lengths. Time, Imin 57 4-ssec. Fifth heat— D. J. Plunkett, 130 yds, 1; F. Snii.ta, ] 20yds, 2; C. E. Glenoross, 150 yds, 3; C. Marshall, 170yda, 4; T. F. Sherida.i, 180 yds, 5. Eight starters. Won by half a length, after a fine sprint home. Time, 2min Bsec. Sixth heat— Major Taylor, scratch, 1 ; W. M'Donald, 80yds, 2; O. Stevens, 15yds, 3; W. Palmer. COyds, 4; S. E. Gordon, Soycb, 5. Eight starter.". Won by half a length. M'Donald and Stevens took Tayloi up to his field in the second lap. The sprint started a half-lap from home, where M'Donald went out; but Tayior beat him home by .a half-length. Time, lnit'n sS.?ec. Seventh heat-— R. W. Morgan, 130 yds, 1; W. J. D. Smith, 100 yds, 2; S. Simon, 120 yds, 3; A. E. O'Bricn, 180 yds, 4; T. Broad'hurst, 220 yds, 5. Nine starters. Won by threo lengths with a very fine sprint. Time, Imin 55 2-ssec.

The Balniain. £10, £3, £2. Five miles, scratch race. — G. Farley (Vie.) 1, Burton (ST.Z.) 2, Major Taylor (U.S.A.) 3. Macfarland was scratched. Burton and Farley got a break on the field in the eighth lap, and wero never headed, the lionaer winning by a length from Burton, who ,vas a quarter of a lap ahead of Tayloi. Time, lOmin 55 1-osec. The meeting was continued on Monday night, wihen there was agaiu a good attendance. Macfarland. won the Ashfield Five Miles in a fifth of a second oiitside record time. Gordon, of Victoria, was disqualified for a month for not riding out his heat with Taylor in the Kent Plate. Results : —

Watson Handicap, half a mile.— Winners jof heats— L. Corbett, 65yds ; S. Lenhousc, 140 yds ; C. Davidson, 75y<3s ; D. Walkei, 10yds ; C. Gee (Vie). 50yds; Taylor, scratch; B. P. Kett (Vie), 55yto; Scheps, 20yds; H. Condon, 85yds; D. Harvison, " 95yds; D. J. Plunkett (N.Z.), 70yds; A. Thompson, 130 yds. Final— Thompson 1, Phmkett 2, Corbett 3. Taylor and Walker got within 25yds of the limit men at the bell, but Thompson made the pace a cracker, and they could not get up. He won by a length. Time, 54 l-ssec.

Sydney Thousand, one mile. — Eighth heat — Macfarland, scratch, 1 ; A. E. Gudgeon, 60yds, 2-; E. A. Pye (Vie), 25yds, 3. Xine started. Won by a length. Time, ftnin 54 4-ssec. Ninth heat— Walker, 20yds, J. Filsell (Vie), 40yds, 1; E. Payne, 70yds, 2; R. E. Mutton, 50yds, 3. Nine started. Time, 2min 3sec. Tenth heat— B. P. Kett (Vie), 100 yds., 1; C. Bathie, 200 yds, 2; R. W. Webster. 120 yds, 3. Seven started. Won by a length. Time, Imin 59sec.

Kent Plate, one mile.— Four heats were run off, and were won by Taylor, Downing, M'Donald, and Macfariand, the last-named def eating-Scheps- by half a. wheel in 2min 6 l-ssec.

Ashfield Five Miles. — jfiacfarland 1, Mutton 2, M'Donald 3. Won by two lengths ; a halfwheel between second and third. Time, lOmin 35 2-ssec. Taylor tted not compete. March 22.

Fourth Day.

The fourth night's racing in connection with the Sydney Thousand cycling meeting was witnessed by 10,000 -"spectators on Wednesday evening last. Special interest was centred in the semi-finals of the big handicap. Taylor and Macfarland were first in semi-finals, and thus qualified for the final. Results: —

Neutral Handicap. One mile. — Winners of heats were-: — J. Giffen, 220 yds; S. King, 210 yds; G. M'Lean. 130 yds; B. Gooclson, 90yds ; W. A. K. Harris, 210 yd s; T. Broadhurst, 220 yds; H. L. Orr, 270 yds; S. B. Gibbs, 180 yds; A. J. King, 110 yds; S. L. Whitson (Vie), 100 yds; C. Carter, 80yds; F. A. Murphy (Vie), 80yds; Scheps (30yds); B. P. Kett (Vie), 100 yds; E. W. Morgan (Vie), 130 yds; C. Gee (Vie), 90yds; L. Coibett, 120 yds; W. H. Harrison, 200 yds. Final A. J. King 1, C. Carter 2; B. P. Kett 3. Won by a length; a close third. Time, Imin 56 l-3sec.

Sydney Thousand. —First semi-final — D. J. Plunkett, 130 yds, 1; C. H. Horder. 120 yds, 2. Won by a length. Time, Irniii 57 2-ssec. Second semi-final — jtfacfariandj scratch, 1 ; G. Farley (Vie), 40yds, 2; Downing, 10yds, 3. Won by a length. Time, Imin 59 l-ssee. Third semi-final Taylor, scratch, 1; G. M'Lean, 130 yds, 2; E. W. Webster, 120 yds. 3. Won by two lengths. Time, Imin 58f.sec. Fouth semi-final — H. Condon, 160 yds., 1 ; H. J. S>monds (Vie), 150 yds, 2: C. Maishall (U.S.A.), 170 yds, 3. Won by inches. Time. Imin 55 2-ssec. Fifth semi-final — L. Corbett, 120 yds, 1; E. W. Morgan, ISOyds, Q ; A. E O'Buen, 180 yds, 3. Won by a length Time, 2mm 3 4-SS6C.

Kent Plate. One mile.— Fifth licit Walker 1, Farley 2. Won by half a length. Time, 2lnm 11 2-ssec. Sixth heat— J. Filsell 1, Stevens 2. Time. 2min 25 3-ssec. Semifir al— Ma cfarlandi 1, Walker 2. Time, 2min 25sec. Second seiri-ftual Taylor 2, Downing 2. Time, 2mm 12 3-ssec. Leichardt Five Miles. For second class. — C Best (Vie.) 1 F. A. Muiphy 2, Goodson 3. Won by a length. Time, llnim 13 l-ssec.

Fifth Day.

The nieetiug was continued on Saturday evening, when there was again a very large attendance. The special semi-finals of the big handicap were rim off, and provided good rac-

Itio _ >)ut the chief eve;it on the prcgiaiiime was the final of the Kent Plate, «i scntch event, m which the ' contest was practically between Tay'or and Macfsrland Don Wa ker ai-d Downing were also m the lace, which was paced Macfailand. anrd great cheering, obtained the veiciict, ?nd was congratu'ated by Tayloi on his victory, the rideis =h.ikmg hands as they lode iound the track.

MTcfailand's time ii' the Kent Plate was a world's lecord m a scia'ch competition. In the final heat of the Kose Handicap in-o of the lendirg men came into touch and foil, bringing down ihiee n'hris. TLo crash v/as tremendous, and oil" of the eye'es lebounded wiib such iorce as to smash the glass of a track lamp. One of the ruins got °o mixed up wuh his inachin n that it was a -noil: of some difficulty to extricate him. Xo one was serioxisly injured, ho\\e\er. Resu-ts .

Rose Handicap. One mile.—H. Gordon, scratch, 1; C. Bathie, 40yds, 2; J. G iff en, COyds, 3. Eleven started. Won by half a length. Time, 2mm 21 l-s=ec. Bantry Handicap. One mile. First hca' r — Taylor, scratch. 1. Won by a length from W. M'Donald, 30yds. Time, 2mm isec. Second heat— G. Fowle, 150 yds, 1. Won by a length, from J. Eaitray, 150vds. Time, 2mm 9 3-ssec. Third heat— F". A. "Murphy (Vie), 90} els, '1. Won by tv, o lengdis from A. C. Colmr.u (Vie), 120ycU Time, Imui 57sec. Founh heat— O. Stephens, 15yds, 1. Won by two lergths from Scheps, 30yds. Time, 2mm. Fifth heat L. Coibett, 120 yds, 1. Won by a wheel rroni D. J Plunkett (N.Z ). Time, 2mm 7 l-ssec. Final — Murphy 1, Plunkett 2. Co'.eman 3. Eleven staitfed. Won by half a length. Time, 3mm 52 2-ssec

SyJney Thousand. — First Special Semi-final— C Batbie, 200 yds. 1; A. E. O'Brien, 180>ds, 2; B. Kett, 100 yds, 3. Ten started. Won by half a length; same distance between second and third. Time, Imin 56 3-ssec. Second Special Semi-final Don Walker, 20yds, 1 ; H. Downing, 10yds, 2; F. H. Scheps, 30yds, 3. Ten staited. Won by a length ; third man close lip. Time, Imin 53sec. The following nave qualified to start in the final on Wednesday night next :— Taylor, scratch; Macfarland, scratch; Downing, 10yds; Walker, 20yds; Scheps, 3Cyds; B. P. Keit (Vie), 100 yds; L. Corbett (X.S.W.), 120 yds; D. J. P unkett (New Zealand), 130 yds; H. Gordon (N.S.W.), 150 yds; A. ". O'Biien (N.S.W.). 150 yds; and C. Bathie (N.S.W.), 200 yds.

Kent Plate Mile.— Firai— Macfarland 1, Taylor 2, Walkei 3. Downing also started. T!he pacers were Filsell, Gudgeon, and Farley. Taylor immediately got on to the pacers, the order then being Downing, Macfarlard, Walker. When the last pacer left the track at the scoring boaid, Taylor was still in fiont. Downing then challenged Taylor, and took Macfarland along at a great bat for a- bit. Macfarlaad got well in front, but in the last 60 yards or so Taylor reduced the distance, but could not get Tip, Macfailand -winning by sboiit a length Walker was two lengths further back. Time, Imin 52 3-ssec.

Tho Newtown Five Miles. — Macfarland won by a length from Walker, who beat M'Donald by two lengths. Time. lOmin 36 4-ssec.

M'Donald made an attempt to heat (he Atistialasian motor-paced mile record of Imin 27 :i-ssec. made by F S. Beauchamp at Sjdney^ but did not succeed, his time being 2-ssec outside the record.

March 23,

Thirty- two thousand persons witnessed the final of the Sydney Thousand Pound Cycling Race. The front division men had all their own way, as the cracks were never nble to get up. The race resulted: — Corbett 1, O'Brien 2, Plunkett (New Zealand) 3. Won by a wheel. Time, Imin 54sec. Taylor was a long way off, fourth, beating Macfarlane, who was fifth.