WINTON CYCLING CLUB

Southland Times, Issue 21576, 14 December 1931, Page 4

WINTON CYCLING CLUB

SPORTS MEETING ON CHRISTMAS DAY. (From Our Correspondent.) At a special meeting of the executive of the Winton Amateur Cycling Club held on Tuesday evening, the question of holding an amateur sports meeting came in for a good deal of discussion. The president, Mr L. Brumby, presided over an attendance of ten members. In briefly outlining the purpose of the meeting, Mr Brumby mentioned that when the Winton Athletic Society decided to postpone its annual fixture it had been suggested that amateur sports, including running, field and cycling events, be run and it was considered that such a meeting would prove popular with the public. It was indeed unfortunate that the Athletic Society had found it necessary to postpone its fixture, and he considered the society had not been accorded the support it merited. The Cycling Club did not wish to oppose the Athletic Society in any way. He explained that an amateur society could not combine with a professional one in the holding of sports. The society’s date fixed for the meeting on January 6 had been considered suitable, but the general opinion was that Christmas Day was the most convenient for competitors and public alike. If it was decided to go on with the proposal of holding an amateur meeting it would be necessary for the club to affiliate with the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union. This latter question had been discussed previously, and the speaker considered that whether a meeting was held or not it was wise to affiliate with the New Zealand Union.

It was reported by the secretary (Mr C. Hughes) that a Wednesday afternoon for the proposed meeting would not suit amateur performers, as they preferred either a holiday or a Saturday. Christmas Day seemed the most convenient date.'

In the discussion that followed it was mentioned that a sports meeting was held at Drummond on Chrismast Day and a number of amateur events were held. It was considered inadvisable to clash with any other society’s meeting, but those present were practically unanimous that Christmas Day was most convenient for the club’s proposed fixture. Finally, it was decided to hold a programme of amateur running, field and cycling events on Christmas Day to commence at 1 pun. The drawing up of the programme, which comprise seventeen events, was left in the hands of Messrs S. Hagerty and J. Bain. Monday, December 21, was fixed as the date on which entries will close and Wednesday, December 23, was fixed as the date when the handicaps will be declared. It was resolved that competitors must take

part in two events before gate money would be refunded. It was decided to affiliate with the New Zealand Amateur Athletic and Cycling Union. The question of insuring the club’s riders was also discussed, and it was agreed that in the event of any accidents the committee compensate the riders to the full extent of the club’s finances.