One
Hundred Years Ago
Each
Newsletter has a report from a newspaper on something
that happened in the Heidelberg area 100 years ago. Below
is an example, from the Heidelberg News, 1904. The Heidelberg
Hill Climb was commemorated in Burgundy Street on 23 May
2004.
Hill
Climbing in motors: The Heidelberg meeting 4 June 1904
The
Automobile Club of Victoria held a meeting on Saturday
28th ult at Heidelberg with the object of demonstrating
the adaptability of motor cars for climbing hills, no
matter how steep. There was a large attendance of ladies
and gentlemen, many of whom rode out in their motors,
while others proceeded to the rendezvous by more prosaic
means of transport - the train, the buggy and the horse.
The State Governor, Sir Reginald Talbot, rode out on horseback,
attended by Captain Buchanan. His Excellency was received
by Dr C. Ryan, and Mr W.H. Fleshard, and he remained an
interested spectator of the proceedings until nearly all
the heats had been run.
The
course selected for the contest was the road leading from
the post office at Heidelberg to a spot a little beyond
the intersection of the Eltham Road. It was just over
1000 yards in length and the gradient was 1 in 61/2. The
road was pretty good, and although narrow, was quite wide
enough for the contestants, seeing that every heat run
resolved itself into a procession. The ability to mount
steep gradients was abundantly proved, but the afternoon's
sport - if it may be so described - was very far from
being exciting. Two or three cars were unable to get over
the last pinch without a spell to accumulate power.
The
officials were: Judge, Mr W.T. Coldham; timekeepers, Messrs
W.F. Heath (as deputy) and Mr H.B. James; starter, Mr
H.B. James; stewards, Messrs H.C. Bagot, J.A. McLeod,
E.C. Joshua, C.J. Rice, L. Brocklebank, G. Fettling and
C.A. Procto. There were eight heats. The prizes were allotted
to the motors which covered the distance in the shortest
time. [The winner was a De Dion 6hp car with a 12 second
handicap in 3 minutes 7.1 seconds owned by J.W. Moffatt.
A.E. Sutton on a Beauchamp cycle 2 3/4 hp did the distance
in 1 minute 20.4 seconds].
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