CYCLING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3095, 27 February 1897, Page 2

CYCLING.

THE CYCLING CHAMPION MEETING. Wellington, February 24. The weather was fiuo for the cycling championship meeting, but the heavy rain in the night softened the track somewhat. The meeting was held on the new Athletic Park course, cinders and clay, 520 yards long. About 1400 parsons w.ere present. Unfortunately the whole of the championship eveutß wore spoiled by competitors failing in the first event, the five mile. Early in the race all but six or seven fell, and later on all that were left fell; in each instance the falls were owing to the ridora peing bunched too closely. Ritchie, of Christchurch, had his collar bone broken; Casbolt was injured internally; Macdoaald had hisnoae broken, and most of the others were barked and knocked about. The machiues were damaged in all directions and the supply rau short. In the remaining events, the riders having to use strauge mounts, the races were declared off and will be run again on Saturday. The Five-mile Provincial Championship resulted as follows: Jones (Christchurch) 1, Shorlaud 2, Muir 2. Time, 14miu 35sec. Sixteen started. Ten-Mile Championship. Reynolds (Auckland) 1, Joubb 2, Muir 3. lime, 26miu 2G 3/osec. In the handicap events there was some good finishes, but no remarkable performauces. Melbourne, Feb. 25. Great friction continues to exist in cycling circles over the action of the Victorian League of Wheelmen in reinstating Martin after disqualification. The Racing Board as a compliment to the stewards who resigned, re-elected them, but the stewards as a body declined the honour, and in a warmly-worded letter declared the council's decision tantamount to a verdict of incompetency, ane that a considerable section of the council displayed no houest desire to assist officials to purily the control of bicycle riding.