WILL REPRESENT N.Z.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20418, 24 September 1934, Page 11

WILL REPRESENT N.Z.

Watson to Ride in Melbourne Centenary Race. LEAVING THIS WEEK. \ At the presentation of prizes to riders in the Ouirmru-Christchureh road that Harry Watson would represent the Dominion in the Victorian Centenary Thousand, a race of 1089 miles, to be held around Victoria, and the Mayor (Mr L>. G. Sullivan, M.P.) presented him with a cheque from the Centenary Celebrations Committee. He will leave early this week for Melbourne. Watson has a fine record as a cvclist on road and track. In 1923, when a youth of nineteen years, he won the Tlmaru to Christchurch race off 34min. He gained fastest time in 1927. In 1928 Jve competed in the Dunlop Grand Prix, of 690 miles, finishing second to Hubert Opperman. In 1929 he was a member of the Australian and New Zealand team which competed in the Tour de France, of 3300 miles. Watson and Opperman were the only members of the team to complete the course. in 1930. 1931, 1932 and 1933, Watson gained fastest time in the Waiinate to Christchurch race. Again on Saturday he gained fastest time in the Oamaru to Christchurch race. He has ridden successfully on the track. Presentation of Prizes. The presentation of prizes was held on Saturday night, the president of the North Canterbury Centre (Mr W. J. alter) presiding over a large attendance. The prizes were presented by the Mayor who. in congratulating the winner, said that it would be a pity if the event should be discontinued, and he suggested that a. public meeting should be called to endeavour to raise the necessary funds. Mr Walter, in introducing the Mayor, paid that the success of the race was due in a large measure to the co-opera-tion of the various officials along the route, and the people of Oamaru. who subscribed liberally, the police and the traffic officials. Mr Walter stated that the financial support from Christchurch was poor and that, if the cycle trade did not give the race better support in the future, the race would have to be dropped. The prizes were then presented as follows: Special Prizes.—Fastest time, New Zealand road championship, H. G. Watson (Marshland), time. 7hrs 50m in ISsec; second fastest time. W. J. Lamberton (Christchurch). 7hrs 57min 48sec: fastest outside rider. A. N* Ralston (Dunedin), time, Rhrs 4min 21 sec: first rider to finish in receipt of between 20min and 30min. A. G. Mackie, Dunedin (25min), time. Shrs 22min 43see: first rider to finish in receipt of between 30min and 40mSn. T. J. Young, Temuka (4 0m in), time, Shrs 3min 21sec: first rider to finish 1n receipt of between 40min and limit. F. Parkin, Christchurch (65min), time. Shrs 57min 7sec; veteran’s prize, A. E. Porter. Christehurrh (60min). time. 9hrs 45min 22 1-s.sec: first rider to finish who has not Previously competed- in a race under the N.Z. A. and C. Union. R. M. Stokes. Christchurch (60min), time. 9hrs 14min 0 l-ssec.