THE WHEEL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1267, 11 June 1896, Page 26

THE WHEEL.

“Over.oM v. ti:l l ” will at nil times bo pleased to receive contributions, correspondence, news items, reports of meeting's, suggestions, and other matter interesting to cyclists. Correspondents and contributors must .scud tlieir full names ami addresses, not necessarily for publication, hut as a guarantee of the genuinencss of their commuuicai ions ; write on one Hide of the paper only, and address : “ Cvcr.ii.Mirm;,’' New Xi;a i.a::n \il.

SPOKES.

Hr “ C VCLO.METER." I am pleased to see that we arc to have a cash amateur club in \\ ellington, ami 1 most heartily congratulate the promoters on the success which has so far attended their efforts. There is plenty of scope in this city for the two clubs, and their existence will no doubt lead to a spirit of rivalry which will tend to advance the spore. There is no reason why wo should not also have a touring club.

The promoters of sports who offer trophies of a stated value as prizes should see that a trophy of the value named is awarded, not, as is too often the case, one that is about half the proscribed value. And if the trophy is presented by a tradesman, it is tho duty of those carrying out the sports to see that the donor gives a prize of the full value named. It is this practice of promising a prize of a certain value and presenting one falling far short of that promised which lias depleted the ranks of amateur sportsmen. Such conduct on tho part of donors is worse than mean it is dishonest. Apropos to these remarks, I may meurion that I have been shown tho trophy awarded for second place in the open bicycle race at the recent drapers’ sports, and I havo no hesitation in saying that it could have been purchased retail at half tho cost of tho prize promised.

Tho suggestion of a writer in tho New Zealand Times that tho tax on mongrel dogs should bo increased fourfold is a capital one. It would have a beneficial effect all around. Our streets would be rid of tho swarms of mongrel curs with which they aro now infested, and tho cyclist’s lot woidd in consequence bo a happier one, for, judging by my own experience and that of others, dogs aro the causo of three-fourths of the accidents which happen to cyclists here. The shopkeepers would also be thankful for such a riddance. As tho writer does not propose to increase tho tax on well-bred dogs, the suggestion should commend itself to all —- even to our City Fathers.

[ have before had occasion to refer to the bright little publications emanating from the firm of Morgan and \\ right, the famous American tyro makers. Through Mr S. Id. Wright, of Hamilton quay, who is handling the Chicago firm’s tyres, I have just received a copy of the “Cyclists’ dictionary,” issued by that linn, and it is one of tho most humorous little books 1 have come across for some time. The dictionary presumes to give a pictorial representation of the various cycling terms and phrases which to any but the cycling “ crank ” are likely to prove somewhat contusing. ! give a few of the interpretations. Tho definition of a “dead finish” is represented bv a grave and a tombstone; t lie “ scorcher by a cook; a “flying start” is received from the end of a No. b> boot; a skeleton represents a “lady’s frame”; a “well braced joint” is represented by an individual who lias looked ou tho wine when it is red, and who has sought the friendly aid of a lamp-post in order to steady himself; a pawnbroker’s sign explains the “ball bearing”; a decidedly uncomfort-able-looking specimen of humanity, whose nether garment has suddenly parted, thus displaying' a fine show of white linen, is a very life-like representation of a “ rear brake ” ; and a goat investigating the beauties of a new wheel vividly conveys the idea of “ butted spokes.”

There is a rumpus in the local police force over the recent prosecution of cyclists for riding on the Kaiwarra footpath. The constable who took the names of the wheelmen was called upon to stato his reasons for not furnishing his superior officer with the names of the other half-dozen riders he found on the footpath, and as his explanations were not satisfactory, lie has come to realise the fact that “a policeman’s lot is not a happy one.”

At a meeting of tho committee of the Wellington Cycling Club on Friday evening last, W. Castle was elected to fill tho vacancy on tho committee caused by the departure of Air 11. Inglis.

A Carterton correspondent writes:—Tho Carterton Bicycle Club held their road race on Thursday for Dr Johnston’s medal, and t he event caused considerable local interest. The course was along tho main coach road from South Carterton to the half-way house on tho Taratahi Plains and back, a distance of 10 miles. A. Beyliss, with lOmin start, proved the winner.

Surely the “Authority” must be napping. It has not yet informed us of the fact that another weekly journal has recently stated that a bicycle standard was “ lowered.”

During last year there were 2200 appli cations in England alone for patents in re hit ion to cycling.

The Melbourne Bicycle Club, after paying all accounts, lias a credit balance in hand of AIGOO. The Club ought to expend a portion of it in laying down a lirst-class track, which is very much needed in Melbourne.

A race for tho Chinese Cycling Championship of Victoria was recently run on the “other side,” and resulted —Ah (.leap, 1; Ah Beong, 2; Dim Von, B The winner is 3 1- years of age.

C. Von Lodebur, a member of the Dunedin Cycling Club, recently made an unsuccessful attempt to lower the Christchurch to Dunedin record. During the ride his pedal broke, which militated against his success. lie is confident ho can lower the record, and will have another try in the spring.

Tho Alaniototo Cycling Club has been formed at Naseby. Air P. C. Jljorring was elected secretary and treasurer, and Air It. Koole captain. Tho Club’s uniform will lie gray coat, nickers, cap, and heather stockings.

Tho English cycle thief (says a contemporary) lias hit upon an effective method of “obliging a lady.” With all the outward semblance of a gentleman, he frequents parks and other popular haunts of lady riders. Having selected his victim, he suggests that her tyres are too soft. He kindly offers to pump them. Then ho tightens the nuts, and, having displayed an amount of tender solicitude which draws copious expressions of gratitude from the fair recipient, he suggests that he had better try it just to see that all is right. Of courso permission is given, and tho lady has a rude awakening. 'Two ladies were victimised in one day by this means recently.

W. Castle has decided not to race on the Basin Reserve next season. Jlis “Swift" racer is now for sale.

0. F. Best, of the Northern Cycling Club, Western Australia, has reduced the West Australian 23-milo record to Ihr .Amin 41 .Isoe.

Neil Alatterson, the i x-seuller, landed a good prize at the thnatiical sports on the .Melbourne Exhibition trade, by winning the Princess Handicap, for which the prizes were ADO, Al2 and AA. A. .Middleton was second, and J. Carpenter third.

On April Nth J. Platt-Betts lowered R. A. Marples’ half-mile British record of 38 IS-d.sec to ij(j l-o,sec.

After shaping very indifferently on the first day of the Perth carnival, Parsons easily won three of the events on the second day. iLis explanation of his want of success on the first, day was that he was handicapp.-d out of the races, while lie was at a disadvantage owing to riding an 80in gear on a heavy track. On the second day he used a 7'tin gear, while the track was in much better order.

Out of the loft” fatal accidents on tho road in Fnglaml in 1 Sill-, traction engines were responsible for lb deaths, tram cars ofi, other road vehicles 11titi, horses alone 232, perambulators 4, while :!() were attributed to cycling. As this number includes both those riding-cycles and (hose ridden on by them, if will be seen what, an awfully dangerous vehicle the cycle is !

An absurd spectacle in tho shape of a women’s bicycle road race was recently witnessed at Northcoto, a suburb of Melbourne. There were 11 competetitors, and Airs Powell, who was on the limit mark, won the race by covering the 11 miles in 12min. Miss It. Paser was second, and Airs o’Aleaghcr third. The fastest time was made by Aliss O’Aleaghor, who covered the distance from scratch in lifpmin. One of the competitors fell, but beyond a severe shaking and twisting her handlebars, she escaped unhurt. A Melbourno writer, referring to the race,

says—“ It is hardly possible to conceive a more unlovable sight than the spectacle of somo half a dozen females, some in tightfitting nickers, scorching along a public highway, their faces as red as beetroot, hair streaming in the wind, and struggling all they know to keep up with their male pacemakers.” Tho writer adds that the event appeared to have been entirely arranged as an advertisement for a manufacturer of a certain brand of chewing gum, which tho riders freely masticated.

The League of Victorian Wheelmen has completed arrangements with an accident and guarantee fund whereby in tho event of death, loss of two limbs or botli eyes, the sum of .£1.30 will be paid; AIOO Impermanent disablement, and £2 2s a week for injuries which prevent the cyclist who is a member of tho League from following his occupation.

The meeting on Alonday night in connection with the formation of a proposed Cash Cycling Club was well attended. On the motion of Mr E. J. Atkinson, it was decided that a Cash Cycling Club be formed, and that it affiliate with the New Zealand Cyclists’ Union. The subscription was fixed at 10s (Id per annum. On the motion of Mr < ioodall, Mr A. K. Wukeman was elected secretary, and Alessrs Stedman, Atkinson, llall, Boodall, Peacock, Thomson and Bundle were elected a committee to arrange details regarding officers, rules, Ac. Another meeting will be held on Monday night next. Judging from the number of prominent cyclists present and the general interest displayed, the Club gives every promise of being very successful.

At the Magistrate's Court on Saturday, Air J. 0. Martin, S.M., gave judgment for Alb and All 17s costs in a civil ease in which F. T. Hill sued W. Boulton for Al>7 damages to pDintiff and his bicycle through the defendant, who was on horseback, colliding with him on the f’orirua road.

Two bicyclists collided at the corner ol Chiba and Arthur streets last week, with the result that both bicycles were smashed about considerably, 'flm cyclists wore disentangled from the machines by some passers-by after a great deal of trouble, seemingly none the worso tor their spill. Not so one of the machines, however, which was twisted in all directions. The owner of this wheel, —who was decidedly to blame for the accident, —as soon as lie able to survey his wreckage, demanded in very emphatic tones, “ Wiio’s to pay for this Y' An unsympathetic bystander promptly informed him that he would have to, if he was able to.

A cable message from Brisbane, dated the 9th instant, states that Martin, the American cyclist, paced by a tandem, rode half a mile in lniin 1 i-osec, and a mile in 2min 8 2-ssec, breaking Zimmerman’s record.