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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1081, 7 September 1869, Page 2

The Fibst Bicycle in Auckland. — Our readers have already heard a great deal about velocipedes coming into use in other colonies and provinces, and no doubt j will be glad to learn that a< last Auckland can put in a claim to the possession of a 'bicycle. Messrs. CousinsandAtkinhave been lately engaged in themanufacture of one of these, and which yas sufficiently completed last evening to illotv of a trial. It was taken up to the tor of Grey-street about nine o'clock, . ano Mr. : Cousins mounted the " saddle," an& made his first public essay upon the two-wheeled vehicle. Since Grey-street has been metalled and improved, there are few better roads in the province ; and, its gentle slope towards Queen-street must ptove of great advantage to the tyro in mating his first attempt at mastering the ney iron horse. The night was bright moonlight, and Mr. Cousins managed to get the machine in motion and keep it going foriwo or three hundred yards, when, findng he was likely to come to grief by lqing his balance, he judiciously placed hi feet astride as far as possible, and so prevented a spill. Several other attempts were [qually successful, and we may congntulate Mr. Cousins on the chance of his roeedily becoming an adept at this kijd of work. Two of his employes likewise tried their prowess, and succeeded prety well for beginners. After the " ve\ot' (the latest name given to it, as a contrition of the word velocipede, which is Ibujd to be too long) had been fairly tested, i was taken back to tho workshop, where 1 it will receive its finishing touches in jie course of a few days. We understandithat it has been made to order, and no oubt others will soon follow. The cost f manufacture is, we believe, about £a; and the weight of the " velox" 401bJ The front wheel— the "guider"— is 3 fet 4 inches, and the hind wheel 2 feet 8 iijshes, in diameter. Both wheels are of \f>od—-lance-wood, we believe — with iron fres, and the spokes are very light, but vry durable. The rest of the vehicle is oj iron. We hear that Messrs. Cousins an Atkin have offered a very handsome prerium to any of their employe's who can fist bring it safely along Queen-street without a " Bmil."—Ssutha t n Cross. ; Thebe was some tittering i i other day at a wedding breakfast when me of the guests wished the bride " mat returns of the happy occasion."