CYCLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11950, 26 April 1902, Page 6 (Supplement)

CYCLING.

Sydney cyclists, at a recent meeting, decided to submit a Hill to the New South Wales Parliament empowering a cycle tax to be imposed on similar lines to the New Zealand Bill. Speaking of the Bill reminds me that the Auckland Cycle Roads League at a recent meeting instructed the secretary to remind Sir Joseph Ward that he had promised to take up the measure during the forthcoming session of Parliament. Lord Rosebery, ex-Prime Minister of England, recently remarked that " No one can shut their eyes to the encroachment of the motor car and motor principles. The horse is gradually being superseded by the automobile." Thus says England's leading peer, who is passionately fond of horses and the owner of an English Derby winner. The first ease under the Victorian Sporty Betting Suppression Act came on for hearing at the St. Kilda Police Court a couple of weeks ago, when a Civil servant was charged with making a wager with a bookmaker at the recent Walker-Morgan match

held on the ft. Kilda track. After hearing the evidence tho defendant was fined £5. The bookmaker was also charged with a similar offence, and fined £2 and costs.

The New Zealand League of Wheelmen having been invited to send a representative to the annual conference, of the Australian Sederal Council, which sits in Sydney next month, has decided to invite Mr. G. H. Lethaby, who intends paying a visit to Australia, to represent the league. In a trial spin over a straightaway mile on a main road, an American covered that distance upon a, six horse-power motor bicycle in the phenomenal time of 54- l-ss. The quarter miles were recorded in 14 1-55., 13. 3-55.. 13 2-55., and 13s. The performance was checked by four watches, but it is not stated to be officially timed. Founder, the celebrated French motorist, lias negotiated a mile in 525., but the machine he used was a 40 horse-power carriage. The Yankee is of opinion that, on a later attempt, the Frenchman's figures will be equalled if not eclipsed. At the annual conference of the Australian Federal Council in Sydney next month Mr. Gazzard (South Australia) is to urge the bringing out of champion riders from America, Europe, England or elsewhere to keep the sport lively in the colonies. A six days' race is mooted in Sydney, competitors to ride 12 hours a day in teams of two riders each. A Sydney syndicate has approached .the New South Wales League with a proposal to run such a contest next October. Similar contests recently held in tho United States have been a great success financially. The proposed prize money for the race is £150 winning team, £75 second team, £35 third team, and a bonus of £10 for every team that covers a stipulated distance. At the annual world's championship mooti ing, which this year is to be held at Rome, in June, the International Cyclists' Union, tho supreme body, has decided to permit any representatives from the Australian States to compote in these classic races, provided their credentials entitle them to that distinction.. As there will bo several well-known riders from Australia in Europe shortly—Martin, Bcauchamp, Palmer, and perhaps one or two others—there is _ a ' chance of the more important States being represented without the trouble and expense of the respective league? becoming affiliated to the International Cyclists' Union, The following records, accomplished by W. Martin at Leeston, on April 3, wore placed on record at the last meeting of the League Council in Christehurch: —Quartermile unpaced, standing start, 31 l-55.; quar-ter-mile unpacod, flying start, 235. ; halfmile, unpaced, flying start, 595. Flying start paced: Quarter-mile, 25 3-55.; half-mile, 535. ; one mile, lin. 465. ; two miles, 3m. 46i5.; three miles, sm. 265.; five miles, Bm. 485.; 10 miles, 20m. 165.; 15 miles, 30m. 565. ; 20 miles, 40m. 15s. The Now Zealand Racing Cyclists' Association has written tho league asking that the rule debarring a cash cyclist from gitting on the council be altered. The matter was brought forward at a recent meeting of the council, when it was decided to defer consideration for a full meeting of dolegates. It is stated that already the motor industry in France is making its influence felt on local horse breeding. According to the latest census taken in Paris there are now 5900 less horses in the French capital than there were the year previous. The entrance fees for the great European motor race from Paris to Vienna totalled over £1600, made up as follows:— Fifty-nine cars at £16, 50 light cars at £12, nine voiturettes at £8, one motor cycle at £4, and one motor cyclctte at £2, amounting in all to the respectable total of £1622.