CYCLING CLUB

Southland Times, Issue 20538, 14 July 1928, Page 4

CYCLING CLUB

FIRST MEETING HELD. GOOD PROSPECTS EVIDENT. After a lapse of several years the Southland Cycling Club seems about to spring into active life again. In response to an advertisement a representative gathering of enthusiastic cyclists met in the Y.M.C.A. last night. Mr L. S. Brooks who occupied the chair, said they were present to revive interest in cycling in Invercargill. For some time there had been a feeling that there should be some organization for that purpose and so they had advertised the meeting. He would be prepared to give a trophy for racing and all they needed was a little enthusiasm. Once they got going, he predicted they would have a great life. Perhaps it would be possible to stage a road race up to Gore or between Wallacetown and Invercargill. Mr A. R. Fraser asked whether it was going to be a cycle-racing or a cycling club pure and simple. In England cycling clubs in which tours were arranged were very popular. Mr Hoffman (Gore) said he thought they could have the same type of club as at Gore—both cycling and road racing. They had started the club in a small way in Gore with a £2 race. Mr A. Tapper said that the Motor Cycle Club also had started in a small way and at the first meeting, there were only a few members present, but at the second meeting great enthusiasm was shown. All the tours and races followed naturally. The chief thing was to have a good secretary. The old hands also should be approached and their interest solicited. It was decided that the club be formed, to be named “The Southland Cycling Club.” The election of officers was held over till the next meeting. Mr N. Fitzgerald was elected temporary secretary. It was decided that the next meeting should be held on Friday, July 20. Mr A. Tapper suggested that they should get the interests of the trade. If they had not gained that in the Motor Cycling Club, it would not have been the success it was. The trade relied on the cyclists to help them along and they should take an interest in the club.

Mr Fitzgerald offered to interview the various representatives of the cycling trade. Mr Hoffman offered to speak to Gore members and ask them to come down and help the Invercargill Club in its formation.