Page 40

SOUVENIR-CHARTERS TOWERS, 1872 to JULY, 1950

CYCLING

THE riders in the early days of Char­ters Towers could, as it was often proved, hold their own with the best of the cyclists from all over Australia.
Billy Beasley in his day beat many a southern rider and won many big events. On the 26th November. 1910, W. Beasley wyon the Queensland Test Road. Race of 60 miles from Charters Towers to Liontown and return. C. Middlin, who still conducts an electrical and second hand business in Mosman Street, was second and J. Honey was placed third. Forty'-eight riders set off but only nine finished the distance. There were 11 prizes to be won and J. Honey won three of them. Mr. Middlin exhibits a fine gold medal, his second trophy in this great race. The time for the 60 miles was 3 hours 3 minutes. There was some big wagering and two book­makers at least bet W. Beasley £100 to £25 that he could not break the distance in 3½ hours. Other riders at this time were J. Holt, Otto Flint, Joe Jacobs, Billy Percy, Freddie Flint and Pinkie Houston, who in 1907 won the 5 mile Australian Championship at Adelaide. Southern riders Rolfe, Walter Payne of
Melbourne and Sydney, came to Char­ters Towers together also an American rider named Hurst. An Italian champion Porter, came to Charters Towers to challenge Billy Beasley but was beaten by the local rider. On one occasion Billy Beasley was riding against at least five Sydney riders at the saucer track at the old athletic reserve and was in an unbeatable position when one Sydney
rider came across and put Beasley over the embankment at the Corinda end and he broke several ribs and was in hos­pital for two weeks.
One of the most popular road races was out to the old squash shop and back, along the weir road.	After	Beasley
came the two Barrons, Jack and Bob, both riders of high standing. At this time Sammy Brenton would be coming into the picture and Sam is still riding,

only last year he challenged several much younger riders during the many race track meetings held at Charters Towers. But Sammy, I think, has left
all his fast times back on the old "Ruby
Ridge" years ago.
Other good solid supporters of the cycling in Charters Towers are the Russell Brothers, Jack and Ernie. Just before their day though, old George Stanger had his say when the trophies and prize money were being distributed.
Following these riders came Frank (Dinty) Stanger and to-day a profes­sional cycling club is still doing excel­lent work in Charters Towers under the Presidency of Mr. Bill Billam. Some of the best riders of to-day are Phil Schober, Frank Bowen, Don Jarvis, I. Mann, H. Ryder, and in the Junior Grade, George Barron, Micky Conlan, Morris McCamley and Young George Stanger hold their own.

THE MOSQUITO AND THE POLITICIAN

(From the "Eagle", 1899.)
There was a big mosquito
With a most tremendous sting;
And he was very vicious
An extremely wicked! thing.
He would puncture all the people That he ever came across,
He had killed an alligator
And had paralysed a hoss.
He could sting a knight in armour He could drill a stucco wall,
He could pierce a Cornish boiler­Was the daddy of 'em all.
He has lengthy list of glories
He had never know.n a rest­
Till he met a politician
And he had to give him best.

He atacked the sleeping statesman Started borinlg at his cheek,
But he wore his sting to nothinlg After working for a week.
Then he left and told his troubles To a relative who said­
Well, you must have been a donkey Not to sting him on the head.