CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 46, 23 February 1901, Page 4 (Supplement)

CYCLING.

A line six-horse-power motor car has ■just been built in .Melbourne by Ml" jl. Sutton to the order of a .Melbourne gentleman- The whole of the car has buen constructed locally, the driving motor also being tJie invention of the builder. The car is capable of comfortably carrying" four people, and is geared'to drive fifteen to seventeen miles an hour on fair roads. The advent of this car marks a new era in motor construction, for if it successfully fulfils its inventors claims the Sutton motor will pbiy an important part in European motor circles. The motor is driven by ordinary kerosene, und it is claimed that it "leaves no unpleasant smell when treated by the .Sutton patent. An experimental tour will be taken by the owner and designer at an early date throughout the Western District (Vie). The body of the car is built on purely American lines. The cost of the car is between three hundred and fifty pounds and four hundred pouniis. Further evidence of the utility of the motor car for use on Australian roads was provided recently when a party consisting- of Messrs W. J. Proctor, oi! the Dunlop Tyre Company. T. Hand, and YV. Salter (Melbourne "Herald"), went through from Warrnambool to Melbourne (one hundred and sixtyfive miles) in a day. The car used was a De Dion Bouton voitlirette, three and a half horse power, with seating accommodation for three people. The car left the seaside, resort at "> a.m. and made good progress throughout, averaging- about seventeen miles an hour, riding- time. Stops were made <it Coiae (seventy-two miles) and Geelong (one hundred and nineteen miles) for breakfast and dinner respectively, Melbourne being reached at, ten minutes to seven. The actual riding time on the road was a few minutes over nine and a half hours, the fastest riding being- twenty-two miles an hour. Tbe motor consumed five gallons of petrol, costing ten shillings, and a quart, of lubricating oil. worth ninepence, so that the actual cost per person works out at about a farthing a mile for the ride up. Dunlop three and a half inch motor tyres were used, and had not to be touched during the ride. The earalso travelled down to Warrnambool, covering one hundred and twenty miles the first day out, reaching Warrnambool before luncheon time the next clay. The car throughout the trip worked splendidly, creating great interest throughout the Western District.

The "Referee" heads a eulogy on Martin with "Martin the Great," and says Martin's success this year, judged on his record of wins, is simply phenomenal. After practically scooping the pool at the Austral (bar the handicap, in which he did not start), and getting the bulk of the prize money at Sydney, including the big handicap, he now gains all that is worth having at the A.N.A- meeting,—the Wheel Race and the Clold Stakes, and a series of scratch events. Whatever way his record be viewed one can only say that a man (of his years), who will train so strictly and experience the selfdenial necessary to being fit day and night whenever called upon deserves all the money and fame he has achieved. There are perhaps some of our own riders who might do as well, or nearly so, if they went the right way about it, but one is tired of reminding them of that. .NOTES OF A CYCLE TOUR. The following notes of a cycle tour through the North Island should prove interesting and useful to cyclists who purpose going on tour a-wheel. Mr Bockaert (of the firm of Skeates and Bockaeit), accompanied by Mrs Bockacrt and sister, started on a tout through the island on February 2nd. The following jottings are supplied by one of the party: — Started on the Saturday; arrived Okoroire Sunday night, where we had to wait two days on account of the rain. Left Okoroire for Rotorua on Tuesday; stopped two days Rotornaj did all the sights, then left for Waiotapu; met Mr and Mrs Haynes exploring the country; went on in the afternoon for Wairak'ei and Taupo, where we stayed three days- On Sunday, 10th, left for Tokaanu, next day from Tokaanu to Waiourou, forty-four miles of sandy roads -and tip hill all day; forded three rivers, a great ex- ! perience in the cold snow water from Ruapehu. Waiourou is on the foot oli Ruapeln.j, and 11700 feet above sea level. Started seven o'clock next day for Ractihi; all bush roads, some parts nicely metalled, others sandy and clay; a. hard journey, and crossing live more icy cold rivers, one of them very wide and deep, was a very excite ing performance. Raetihi is a fast growing country village, with good boardinghouse, in the middle of native forest, which is just being cut down, In the afternoon left for Pipiriki, 19 miles down hill, ten miles of it smooth as a billiard table, the rest clay. This run of nineteen miles was a boon for our free wheels. From Raetihi (2700 feet above sea level) down to Pipiriki (400 feet above sea level) .there is a nice grade all the way, and some of the best,bush scenery in the North Island.

Arrived at Pipiriki Tuesday night. Next morning at six o'clock took steamer 10 miles up the river in" company of Imperial officers. Started down the river at ten o'clock for Wanganui. The river was a sight not to be forgotten. It compares favourably with the. Rhine, an Germany. Stopped two days at Wanganui and left on Friday for Hawera by one of the best roads in the colony, as good as the best in the Old Country. From Hawera to New Plymouth was our next day's run. Again splendid roads.

Arrived at New Plymouth Saturday night. Visiting the gardens and waterworks was our Sunday's programme. On Monday morning, being so delighted with the roads, we had a run to Waitara and back before lunch, twenty-four miles in a little under three hours, with half an hour stoppage at Waitara.

At one place five mien were working at the roads. I dismounted and had a chat with them, asking them what they were about. "Improving roads for you cyclists," was the answer. "Where?" "Don't you see the roads are bad here?" After inspecting 1 found a few small holes not worth noticing (by an Auckland cyclist). Well 1 could not help telling those men to apply for a job in Auckland, as there were plenty of these holes to be filled up there, but much larger. I noticed that the size of metal used was 2i inches, three inches at outside.

Left New Plymouth on Monday to arrive in Onehunga oh Tuesday morning. What a .contrast exists between the Onehunga-Auckland . Road and those roads we had been over the previous day. I can simply say that it

is disgraceful to find such roads in the largest city in New Zealand. Whose fault is it? As a member of the A.C. R.L. 1 have taken great interest in the way the different roads are being repaired in other cities. I can say am! prove that here in Auckland it is done in the most ?tupid and careless wiiy. Mr Bockaert is reatly to give fuller information about his round trip to any cyclist about to make the sani(; tour.