SPORTING

West Coast Times, Issue 10672, 28 December 1897, Page 3

SPORTING

CYCLING

CYCLING CLUB'S SPORTS.

The sports held under the auspices of the IJokitika Cycling Club on Cass Square were a pronounced success. The weather was pterfect, bright and-olear, with a pleasant breeze from the south-west which must .have; been* refreshing tqithe riders and- was certainly very agreable to the spectators. ■ .There was" kktgtf attendance of the public), 1 Boipe> 800 or^OO 'being on the Square; of' which 1 the-hdrtWrn train contributed -an appreciable 1 and appre ciated-iquota, several weliiknotfn Greymouth citizens being in evidence, including the Mayor, Mr Skoslund. The racing was "• Very good/ ' : A regretable accident placed W'oy liars tie combat., and A. Macfarlan'e,' who was in excellent condition a.nd quite up to his training form, made a sweep of the principal > evehfjs, his wins being very • popular; 'All the m^es were interesting and some of theTfiriishes very close. The Square presented an animated appearance, "epmpeti tors, with! their supporters and trainers each exciting passing interest. Mr H. Butland, who acted as special trainer for t|ie favorite ,of the day, appeared as elated as did his his fabled protqtype at : his successes with Sweet Alice.' There was the living presentihfeni' of I 'that celebrated 1 • dame on the Square, -in 'many forms, each displaying a keen interest in. the ( prowess of her knight. This at least is a distinguishing feature of cycling. In a horse race the chief interest is centred on the horse, in a cycle race the rid.er monopolises, and all the better i'or those for whom fair eyes behold and swecl lips applaud. Bicycles were at a discount. By what is termed, in simple

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language, a " concatenation of unfortuitoun concurrences," two or three collision* occurred, oyclifltawere precipitated to the ground, and several of the machines presented a most woeful appearance. The arrangements for the day were admirabl> controlled by Captain Evans, Secretary JKirwan, Messrs Mahan, F. Harrop, Blakely, J. Wilson, and other active members of the committee whilst the Hon. J. A. Bonar and the Mayor (Mr Michel) did efficient service as judges. The police,|underSergt-MajorMacdonaldjWere very useful keeping the spectators off the enclosed area, the tendency to crowd being at times very dangerous to the competitors. Mr Bremond had t'»e strength of his band supplemented by several oi his Kumara friends and the gain was verj considerable, the band being a special feature of the day On the whole the gathering was a very pleasant one and we hope the Club will be able to present a aUiafactory balance sheet. The takings at the gates were £34. The following were the results :—: — Mile Maiden Bicycle (Roadsteh) Handicap. First prize, £2; second, 10s. E. Gale, scr ,\ 1 G. Perotti, scr 2 Ten others started. Dorreen and Chapman fell in the last lap when leading. A capital finibh, Harley, who crossed the Cape first being disqualified, under protest, for riding a raachine-under the stipulated weight. Time, 2min 45sec. Christmas Sheffield Handicap, 120 yards. First prize, £6 ; second, -£2 ; third, 10s. First Bound — First heat— Ma? one,l ; Head, 2. Time, Second heat — Holmes, 1 ; Lord, 2. Time, 12secs. Third heat— Benyon, 1 ; Pierson, 2. Time, 11 l-sth sees. Fourth heat— Skoglund, t ; White, 2. Time, 15secs. Second Round — First heat— White, 1 ; Holmes, 2. Time, 12 4-ssees. Second heat — Skoglund, 1 ; Lord, 2. Time, 13secs. Final Round— B. White, 7yds 1 F. Holmes, 7yds 2 I. Lord, 7yda 3 A well contested race. Time, 11 2- 5 th sees. One Mile Bicycle. First prize, £3 ; second, £1. A. Macfarlane, scr 1 W. Keller, 25yds 2 H. Noy, 25yds 3 Seven others started. Macfarlane was in a commanding position early in the second lap, but a keen fight was made all down the straight, and a wheel did not separate the three placed men at the finish. Just after passing the post Noy and Keller, collided, and fell, bringing down Macfarlane and Lockington, Two or three machines were badly injured, and Noy was unable to ride afterwards. Lockington was also considerably bruised. Time, 2mins 29 2-sthsecs. Half Mile Boys' Roadster Bicycde Handicap, first, Jbl; second, 10s. H. Lynch, scr 1 E. Evison, 20yds 2 T- Benyon, 50yds 3 Four others rode. Won by a machine's length. Time, lmin 16 3-sth sees. Westland Wheel Race Handicap, 3 miles. First prize, £7; second, £2, third, £1. A. Macfarlane, scr 1 A. Perotti, scr 2 E. Lockington, 200 yds ... 3 Six others .started. A good race throughout and a capital finish, the win proving a very popular one. Time, 8 mm 9secs. Half Milk Dash Bicycle Handicap, First prize, £2 2s (presented by the Austral Cycle Coy), second, £1. A. Macfarlane, acr, -1 E. Lockington, 55yds ... 2 W. A. Stapleton, 45yds ... 3 Five others started. The handicappers ' were un&ble to steady Macfarlane, who gained another spirited win. Time, lmin 9 3-sth sees. 1 MILE (ROADSTER) BICYCLE HANDICAP. Firet prize, trophy presented by the Dunlop Tyre Coy, value £3 3s. Second, 10s. E Gale, 120 yds 1 H Lynch, 80 yds. ... 2 A Perotti, scr. 3 j Three others started. The scratch men never troubled the leaders, who fought j out a close finish. Time, 2min., 35sec. PROVINCIAL WHEEL SCRATCH CHAMPION- j ship, 5 miles, (limit 14min., 30sec.) First priz«, gold medal ; second, silver medal. A Macfarlane 1 E Lockington 2 These were the only riders to finish. Macfarlane's performance was loudly cheered. Time, 13min. 19 4-53ec. 1J MILE LADIES BRACELET. Prize Toady's bracelet. A \tacfarlane, scr ... 1 A Perotti, 60yds. ... 2 . HCHail^y, 180 yds. ... 3 Two others started and Macfarlane scored another victory— thjs time a close one. Time, 3mm., 544-saecs. HALF-MILE HANDICAP FOOT RACE. First prize £4, second, £1 10. Third, 10s. J Chase, 50yds. ... ... 1 I Lord 35yds., 2 T Daly, 15yds 3 . Twelve ran, an interesting race. Time 2min., lflec. Two Miles Roadster Bicycle Handicap, first £2, second £1. 4. Perotti, 90yds 1 H. Lynch, 200 yds 2 E. Lockington, 180 yds - ... 3 Two others rode. A very good race.

Officials Half Mile Bicbcle. Prizes Trophy presented by the Anglo N.Z Cycle Company.

J. W. Wilson, scr 1 Dr. Teicheltnanu, 25yds ... 2 F. Harrop, 30yds 3 Three others started. Dr Teichelmanu made the pace a aierry one for half the distance, and then through a mißuuderstanding eased up, when Wilson with some of his old dash came ou and snatched the victory from the worthy doctor.