BIG ROAD RACE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17346, 29 September 1924, Page 4

BIG ROAD RACE.

PRIZES PRESENTED. There was a large attendance at ths Orange llall on Saturday night, when the prizes were presented by the Mayor (Mr J. A. Flesher). Mr W. J. Walter, president of the North Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union, congratulated the winner on his splendid ride, stating that he would mako ono of the coming champions. To finish under six hours was an excellent ride, considering that the. distance was three ■miles further than last year. Whelch and Hack were also coining riders. There was no more popular rider than "Wright, who put up fastest time. ft l thanking the officials Mr Waiter said be thought Timaru had done more for the race than the Christchurch City Council. When asked to close Lincoln Road to traffic the council had refused, yet the Tiniaru Borough Council had closed the streets at the starting point The different local bodies c-n route had also assisted. thanked the city inspectors, particularly Mr Broughton, the police, gatekeepers, course stewards and others who helped. Jn expressing appreciation of the action of the A and P. Association in allowing the grounds to be used. Mr Walter said it was quite probable that the finish would bo held there again. Mr A. S. I/eigh, manager of the Dunlop Rubber Company, referred to the splendid attendance of the public at the show grounds. He said that while the centre had men like Messrs Walter and Lucas, who gave so much time to the •sport, they would always get any support that he could give through his firm. The Mayor said lie was pleased to perform an office at such a function. Regarding the closing of Lincoln Road, as referred to by Mr Walter, he said that the road would hare been closed if he had had his way. Everybody was to bo congratulated on the success oi the race. and lie hoped that the result of the trving-out of the day would be the finding ol the winner of the Warnambool race. New Zealand had had its best advertisement from the exploits of the young men in the field of sport, and so long as they followed sport for the sake of the sport they would set an example to the world. The prizes were not meant to make a protessional of his performance and self-sacrifice in order to attain the standard of perfection. required to win. Every youth was the better for taking part in healthy pastime and recreation : it hejpecf to build up. not only then health, but also their characters. Tho Mayor then presented the prizes, cheers being given for the recipients In the case of the winner and the. blue riband winner speeches were demanded by the audience. Le C’ompte said if it had not been tor the accident he thought- he would have been nearer fastest time, but he hoped to have a go this next year. Wright, replying, thanked the riders who had given him pace. He thought that if it had not been for a coupie of spills he would have got first prize also. The chairman stated that ninety-six riders had finished. which was a record for the race. He paid a tribute to the work of the secretary (Mr P. ('. Lucas), upon whom .much or l*.