CYCLING RECORDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10410, 7 April 1897, Page 5

CYCLING RECORDS.

Press Association.—Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Melbourne, April 6. Don Walker has been successful in further Australian record lowering, From standing starts he put up a quarter-mile in 295., a half-mile in 585., and one mile in lm. 50 2-59. The Easter Carnival to be held at the Drill Hall during Easter week, in aid of the Mission to the Lanes, promises to be an extensive affair. Nearly a hundred ladies have the matter in hand, and almost innumerable novelties and attractions are to bo provided. There will be a magnificent Oriental stall. The majority of the ladles connected with the carnival will be attired in either floral or Oriental costumes. Stalls for the sale of all kinds of goods, both useful and ornamental, as well as general produce, and refreshment kiosks will bo provided. There will be numerous amusements during the evening, and there is little doubt that the carnival will be a very great success. It is requested that those wishing to provide side shows, etc., Will communicate with Mr. P. R. Dix, the manager, at once. The carnival will open on Easter Monday night, and remain open for the two following evenings.

A juvenile branch, the Band of Promise, has been opened at Onehunga in connection with the Gordon Tent of the Rechabite Friendly Society. At the opening the officers were duly elected, and eleven candidates presented themselves for initiation.

A bather bad a sensational experience at the Marine Baths, Nelson (says the Mail). He bad just taken a dive, when he came up pale and in a hurry. He said something soft and clammy had tried to get hold of .him, and that it had glirie4 over his skin. This caused considerable excite-

ment among tho intending swimmers, and a search was made for the mysterious thing, and at last an octopus of some size was fished out, clinging with a sucker to an iron bar that had been put into the water.

The fortnightly meeting of the Otahuhu Mutual Improvement Association was held on Monday evening; the vice-president, Mr. H. J. Hall, in the chair. Mr. Allan Douglas gave a most interesting lecture, or rather talk, on Recollections of Tropical Australia." The lecture, which lasted

more than an hour, and was delivered without any written notes, graphically and dramatically described Mr. Douglas's own experience in Queensland in the early seventies. The physical geography, the fauna, and flora of Northern Australia were illustrated by sketches and specimens. In the course of his address, Mr. Douglas gave some painful reminiscences of the cruel and disgraceful , manner the natives, or blacks, were sometimes treated by Europeans, and also of the wicked and unscrupulous manner the labour trade from Polynesia was. At that time carried on.— [Own Correspondent.] A lecture on " Scenes and Impressions of America" will be given by the Rev. Dr. Wolfenden (who has resided in America for several years) in the Auckland Tabernacle to-morrow evening.' Appropriate music will be provided by the choir, 1 , and a collection will be made on behalf of the mission to the gumdiggers and settlers in the North.'