Woman racer

Basin Reserve 1900

This photo is dated circa 1900. The only bicycle race for women held at the Basin Reserve in 1900 was part of the Druid’s annual sports day held on 16th April. It was a windy day, which made racing harder work for the cyclists and caused a number of mishaps. The ‘boring tactics’ of some of the competitors were also a cause of complaint. ‘… there was really no justification for the funeral processions witnessed in one or two of the cycling events’. (Evening Post, 17 April 1900, p2)

All the events had cash prizes varying between £3 and £25, except for the Married Women’s Race. Their prize was a box of tea and a quarter of a ton of coal. The Women’s race was 75 yards. Mrs Severn came first, follow by Mrs Wells and Mrs Jefferies. The woman in the photograph does not appear to be married and so this may have been taken on a different occasion.

The building to the right in the photo is St Patrick’s Church and College. This was located on Buckle Street on a site that now forms part of Pukeahu National War Memorial Park.

‍ ‍

Female competitor in a cycle race, being assisted by a starter. Ross, Malcolm 1862-1930 :Photographs by Malcolm Ross of New Zealanders in the Great War, Maori, mountaineering, New Zealand scenery, etc. Ref: 1/4-017551-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22671055