’CYCLING IN DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIV, Issue VIII, 23 February 1895, Page 172

’CYCLING IN DUNEDIN.

THE OTAGO ’CYCLING CLUB. OF the three ’cycling clubs in Dunedin the Otago 'Cycling Club has, so far, enjoyed the most successful career—that is, in proportion to the length of time in which it has been in existence. To recapitulate in these columns the various circumstances that led to the establishment of the Club under notice would be an un-

necessary labonr. Suffice it to say, that the principal reason was that the arrangements made by the Dunedin ’Cycling Club in respect to a track led to dissatisfaction being expressed at the annual meeting of the last-mentioned

Club by a number of members. Several of the dissatisfied ones, at the instigation of Mr J. M’Donald, a gentleman who has done yeoman’s service on behalf of the Otago Club, decided to secede from the ranks of the Dunedin ’Cycling

Club and form another club, the result being that in 1892 the Otago ’Cycling Club was formed. Satisfactory arrangements were made with the Caledonian Society of Otago regarding a racing track, and the Club secured the Caledonian ground for its race meetings Although the club possessed a membership of but 60 or 70 in 1892, such rapid progress has been made, and the interest and sympathy of the public have been enlisted to such an extent, that the present membership exceeds 160.

Of the office-bearers of the club —illustrations of the principal of whom appear elsewhere—it may be said that all work hard for the welfare of the Club, sinking all personal feeling, and always endeavouring to advance the interests of

their Club. In addition to the office-bearers, of whom illustrations are given, we may mention that the committee consists of Messrs J. M’Donald, J. Munro, J. Osborne, J.

McPhee, F. Hart, L. Barclay, and J. Muir, while the new treasurer, Mr E. Hewlison is an indefatigable worker. At the third annual race meeting of the Club fifty-six com-

petitors were engaged, including such well-known riders as Reynolds (the Auckland crack), Pither, Hayward, Simpson (Christchurch), Whelan, C. Hall (Timaru), Stedman, Emerson, and McKenzie (Danedin). The clubs represented were Auckland, Pioneer (Christchurch), Palmerston, Oamaru, Rovers, Dunedin Amateur Athletic, Dunedin ’Cycling, Otago, Timaru Tourists, Wellington, Tower Ramblers, and Invercargill ’Cycling Clubs, so it will be seen that the meeting was a thoroughly representative one. The racing was decidedly interesting, and as the weather was propitious, the attendance good, and the arrangements complete, a most successful and enjoyable meeting resulted, a nett profit of £36 being shown.

Of the individual competitors it may be said that Pither, of Christchurch (who annexed the championship event, Hall being second, and Simpson third) showed the best form ; while Emerson, of Dunedin (who won the first-class mile handicap), surprised many with his determined riding. Reynolds, of Auckland, was not seen at his best, although at times he came through his men in splendid style. Stedman, the veteran cyclist of Dunedin, received quite an ovation for his riding in the three-mile championship, but although he made the pace a merry one, he has lost his dash, and when the bell rang for the last lap he was left behind by the younger and fresher riders. The meeting was a thorough success, and gives evidence of the fact that the Otago ’Cycling Club is a real live institution anxious to encourage athletics generally, and cycling in particular. The illustrations are from photographs by Messrs W. Esquilant, A. Marsden, W. R. Frost, H. J. Gill, Eden George Company (Dunedin), D. A. DeMaus (Port Chalmers), and W. Terrier (Timaru).