CYCLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12401, 24 October 1903, Page 7

CYCLING.

Mr. E. Nordon, for many years connected with the Auckland Cycling Club, has been elected secretary of the New Zealand League of Wheelmen, a post recently rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr. Kesteven. The League of New Zealand Wheelmen has definitely decided to assume control of motor racing. According to a Press Association telegram received during the week, the New Zealand League of Wheelmen has decided to grant a sum of money towards sending a team of first-class riders to the North Island.

Writing from London, to the Otago Witness, Mr. W. Beg?, last year's president of the Otago Cycling Club, says that the famous American coloured rider, " Major" Taylor, informed him that he intended visiting New Zealand during the coming season. The appearance of such a champion of champions on our tracks would certainly cause a revival of public interest in the sport. Reported from Australia that W. Martin ("Phiggcr Bill") will retire from the track after the Sydney Thousand in. January. Martin contemplates marriage. The sub-committee appointed to investigate the manner in which amateurs in the South were receiving their trophies has completed its task, and handed in its report at the last meeting of the New Zealand League- Council. Final consideration was held over.

Hopper, the Yankee cyclist, who won the Sydney Thousand Handicap last March, is said to bo a likely starter in the next race (January, 190-1). A " totalisator" was used in connection with the international championships recently* decided at Copenhagen, and was responsible for a considerable proportion of the prolits, which, amounted to £1700 for the three days. The motor cycle race from Warrnambool to Melbourne, originally fixed for the date on which the big Australian road, race was decided, but which was postponed on account of the unfavourable state of the roads, will probably be run on Monday, November 2. This will be the first event of the kind held in the Commonwealth.

Ivor Lawson, who recently came down to Australia, from America in company with Floyd MeFarland and H. Downing, has been lolling the- Sydney scribes that he has improved "out of sight" since his visit to Australia in 1901. Considering that he won about £300 in the year mentioned, it would seem that the Australian cracks are in for a pretty rough time of it this season. According to the Dunlop Tiro Company, a cablegram received in Sydney recently announced the acceptance of an engagement by Kramer (champion of America) to ride at the Sydney Thousand meeting, to be held on the Sydney Cricket Ground next January. Latest Australian files to hand do not contain the message referred to. At the League of New South Wales Wheelmen's cycling carnival last Saturday week G. K. Morgan (Victoria) won both the half-mile champions-hip of Australia, (time, Im. 205.) and the one-mile international scratch race (time, 2m. 13 2-55.) Commenting on Morgan's successes, a Sydney writer says too much notice should not be taken of form so early in the season, as but few of the riders are " wound up" yet. The American handicap rider, IT. Downing, made his first appearance on the racing track ir« Australia at the New South Wales League meeting last Saturday week. Although only 24 hours oft the boat, he won his heat, (from scratch) in the Hunter Wheel Race by. a length in 2m. 11 l-ss. Ho was always handy, and rode with good judgment.