THE PIONEER BICYCLE CLUB.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5093, 29 August 1884, Page 3

THE PIONEER BICYCLE CLUB.

The sixth annual meeting of the members of the Pioneer Bicycle Club was held at the Commercial Hotel last evening. There was a fairly numerous attendance, and the Captain, Mr F. R. Dunsford, occupied the chair. The Secretary, Mr Lowry, read the report of the Committee, which congratulated members on the success attained. During the earlier part of the season the usual Club runs had to be abandoned, owing to the unfavourable weather. The first long distance road race inaugurated by the Club was, held in December, the route being from Christchurch to the Hurunui and back — a distance of 114 miles. Out of six competitors, Mr J. W. Painter, of the Christchurch Club, was the winner, having covered the distance in llh. lOmin. ; Mr F. W. Painter being about a yard behind his brother at the finish. The longest ride accomplished in one day by a member of the Club was done by Mr H. J. Jenkins, accompanied by Mr F. W. Painter, who rode to the Waiau and back, 180 miles, in 22\ hours ; a performance believed to be the best on reccrd in New Zealand. The annual race meeting was held conjointly with the Christchurch Club, and was a complete success. Two thousand people were present, over £70 were taken at the gates, the programme contained 17 events, and the value of the prizes waa £85. Valuable trophies were presented by the Hon E. C. J. Stevens, the Coventry Machinists' Company, Messrs Cairns, Farr, Kelsey Bros., Kent and Oates, Langdown, Nashelski, Searell, Sandstein, White, and Wheeler. Mr LangdoAvn was the only " Pioneer " who took part at the Dunedin Club's races. He won the Four Mile Handicap, and ran a close second to Mr F. A. Cutten in the One Mile and the Ten Miles Champion Races. The financial position of the Club was encouraging. The season had commenced with a debit balance of £18. The receipts had been £143 15s Bd, and the expenditure £141 14s 6d ; leaving a balance of £2 Is 2d to be carried forward to next year. The thanks of the Club Avere due to the officers for their services during the past year. On the motion of Mr J. F, Norris, seconded by Mr Lough, the report was adopted. The Chairman suggested that steps should be taken to obtain a Club-room. He hoped that the Saturday runs would be resumed this year, and be more i successful than in tVe past. The number j of members had fallen from 40 to 30, but there were about a dozen gentlemen to be elected, and he hoped that the membership j would be raised to 50 ere long. The following gentlemen were then elected members of the Club : — Messrs Triggs, Jacobs, Parker, Brice, Johnston, Harris, Atkinson, Coughlan, Gough, J. Grierson, and R. C. Bishop (honorary member). The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : — Captain, Mr W. H. Langdown ; sub-Captain, Mr A. E. Preece ; Secretary, Mr A. Lowry; Committee, Messrs F. R. Dunsford, H. J. Jenkins, F. Cooper, S. R. Lough, and J. Martin. Delegates to New Zealand Cyclists' Alliance, Messrs A. Lowry, J. F. Norris, W. H. I Langdown, and H. J. Jenkins. ! On the motion of Mr J. F. Norris, seconded by Mr H. J. Jenkins, it was de cided to support the Cyclists' Alliance and pay the usual subscription. Mr Norris mentioned that Mr Burn, of Dunedin, had Avritten to him, stating that strong efforts Avould be made to send up a number of cyclists to compete at the Christchurch races. The meeting then proceeded to the revision of the rules, and after making some trifling alterations adjourned.