RACING CYCLIST KILLED

Taranaki Daily News, 3 August 1931, Page 7

RACING CYCLIST KILLED

NOTED AUCKLAND RIDER. ACCIDENT IN ENGLAND. A Press Association message from London stated that a well-known Auckland cinder track rider, Mr. John William Garmson, aged'26, died at the Nottingham hospital as a.result of receiving injuries to the head while competing in dirt track events. Prior to going to England in March Mr. Garmson, who was not married, resided with his mother in Onslow Road, Ellerslie, and was a railway employee. Mr. Garmson was one of the most prominent A grade riders at the Western Springs Speedway and shared with Mr. A. Mattson and Mr. W. Allen the distinction of being the first Auckland broadsiders to ride in New Zealand, having competed on the first Dominion track in Christchurch. His skill in broadsiding was shown on the Auckland track in February, 1930, when by a splendid piece of riding he avoided striking Messrs. W. Herbert and F. Day, who crashed in front of him in the final of an open handicap. In doing so he swerved into the fence and severely injured his hand, but continued the race and gained second place. His sportnjanship was,, recognised at the following meeting when the noted English woman rider, Miss Fay Taylour, on behalf of the management of the stadium, Auckland Speedways, Limited, made him a presentation. Mr. Garmson was chosen to represent Auckland against Wellington at the beginning of the last season, but injured/ his head while practising in Wellington and was unable to compete. On account of his injury he was. not permitted , by the management to ride on the Auckland track for the rest of the season.

Mr. Garmson was a member of the Auckland Sports Motor-Cycling Club and had taken part in the club’s races at Muriwai, while he had also competed on the grass track at Takapuna, He went to England with a view, to riding there in company with Messrs. Mattson and Allen, the New Zealand representatives at the .Tourist Trophy Races at th' Isle of Man.