THE CYCLING CHAMPION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4766, 5 October 1893, Page 3

THE CYCLING CHAMPION.

» — Welcome to Mr A. c. Wilmot. Yesterday evening a representative gathering of those interested in athletic sports and pastimes took place at the Junction Hotel, Rangiora, for the purpose of welcoming Mr A. C. Wilmot, on his return from.'Auatralia. The Mayor (Mr J. Sanaom) presided, _with the guesfc of the evening on his right, and Mr E. R. Good, President of the North Canterbury Bicycle Club, occupied the vice-chair. After the loyal toasts had been honoured, the Chairman said he had now the pleasing, duty of proposing the toast of the evening, that of " Our Guest and Champion." (Loud applause.) Mr Wilmot, by his brilliant performances in Australia, proved that uo mistake >vas made in selecting him amongst those to represent New Zealand. His performances previous to hiß recent victories were -so well known that it was unnecessary to refer to them. His successes, and those of hiß fellow representatives in Australia must have been gratifying to every wheelman, and to the colonists generally throughout New Zealand. (Applause.) When the news that the Fivemile Championship had been won and records broken by A. .C. Wilmot, of Rangiora; was flashed across from Sydney, he (the Chairman) was sure a feeling of pride and gratification was aroused in the breasts of his acquaintances, and particularly the wheelmen. (Applause.) He was sure, too, that tho kind way in which New Zealand athletic representatives were received^ in Australia, was viewed with pleasure^and would go a long way towards drawing the bond of friendship closer between the Colonies. (Applause.) He would now ask them to honour the toast of " The five mile champion of Australasia/ The toast was drunk with musical honours and cheers. Mr A. C. Wilmot, who was received with heartyapplanse,ezpressedhissincerethanks for the kind way he had been received and the good feeling expressed on all sides towards him. With reference to the Australian trip, while perhaps the team met with some luck, he thought their wins were due almost altogether to the faithful way in which they attended to their training. (Applause.) They were treated by everybody with the greatest kindness, and no expense was spared in entertaining them. He might mention that the cash amiteura were particularly kind, giving them an invitation to a gathering directly they arrived. Affcer giving some details of the races in which he took part, Mr Wilmot said it would be unfair if he did not attribute some of his succesß to his machine, made by Messrs T. Boyd and ' Son, of the Atalanta Works. (Applause.) Mr Boyd made the first machine he won a race on, and he made the last. For workmanship, the machine he used in Australia was considered by competent judges to have no superior, and its strength was proved by its coming out of a bad spill practically uninjured, while two imported machines were smashed up. He intended on New Tear's Day to once more try the quality of the Rangiora track Binco the improvmenta effected to it, and he ahould then retire from racing. He again thanked all hiß friends for the very kind way in which they had welcomed him. (Applause.) Amongst the other toasts honoured during the evening were: — "The North Canterbury Bicycle Club and the Rangiora Athletic Association," proposed by Mr A. Tompler and responded to by Messrs E. R. Good and A. B. Blackett; "The New Zealand Cycling Team," proposed by Mr Good and responded toby Mr Wilmot; "Messrs Boyd and Son and the Atalanta Cycling Works," proposed by Mr Templer, who said that not only had Rangiora produced a champion rider, but also in Mr Boyd, one of the best makers of bicycles. Mr T. Boyd responded. The to»Bt3 of " The Mayor and Borough Couu- | cillors/' " The Ladies," "Our Host," and "The Chairman" were also honoured, and | " Auld Liang Syne " closed the proceedings. During the evening a motion was adopted to convey to tho cycling team tho congratulations of those interested in athletics at Rangiora on its success in- Australia.