SPOKES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1285, 15 October 1896, Page 27

SPOKES.

[By Silvekspuk.]

An unpleasant little trouble has arisen in 'Wellington cycling circles, caused by the Exhibition people. The entries for the Exhibition cycling events were to have closed last Saturday, but, as riders didn’t roll up with their fees, an extension of time was agreed upon until the following Tuesday. The refusal of the cyclists, or a section of them, had the effect of making the Sports Committee back down from the stand they originally took up in reference to entrance ftes and a number of other matters. The amateurs wrote asking that their five-shilling tickets should admit their trainers to the track also, excepting at race meetings ; that training hours be from 5 to 7 o’clock in the evening ; that the brick wall be protected * and that the entrance fees be reduced, the amount demanded being out of all reason aiid not in proportion to the value of the prizes offered. There is no doubt but that the fees asked wore far too high. Cash and amateurs did not mind what prize-money was offered, but objected to racing for sweepstakes, or, in other words, their own entrance fees.

Very well. When entry night came the ■amateurs did not put in an appeaiance, their demands not having been complied with. They went '* on ibeir own/’ so to f-peak, and did not consult the cash amateurs in the matter 'until late. The latter, having entered, decided to await developments. These duly arrived. They will be found in the following report, which embraces other matters as well: —

A meeting of the Sports Committee of the Wellington Exhibition was hold on Monday in the secretary’s office. Mr R. Bannister in the chair. The chairman reported that the subcommittee had not been able to report as to the terms to be offered to the Cash Cycling Club for their two nights’ meeting, to be held

on or about the 23rd November. The matter was held over till next meeting. A permit was received from the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association to conduct sports under their rules on the Exhibition track. The New Zealand Cyclists’ Union and New .Zealand Cyclists’ Alliance wrote dealing with tho permits required from them. Mr 'W. Woods notified that he had arranged for Jupp’s Band to play at the first two meetings. It was decided that the finishing post should be on the north side of the track. The secretary reported that satisfactory entries had been received for the cash amateur events, but so far no entries had been received from the Amateur Club. A deputation from the Cash Amateur Club waited on the committee requesting information as to the hours of training, . entrance fees, and as to tickets for cyclists admitting trainers. After some discussion the deputation withdrew. It was resolved that in view of the fact that no entries had been received from the Wellington Amateur Cycling Club the programme for next Saturday be reconsidered, and cash prizes be offered in every case. A draft programme was diawn up, read and adopted. Jt was decided that on and after the 19th instant the hours during which the track would be exclusively devoted to training purposes should be from 5.30 to 6.30 p.m. It was also decided that the entrance fee should be at the rate of Is when the first prize does not exceed £2 103, and 5 per cent, on first prize money when it exceeds that amount.

So it will be seen that the Exhibition subcommittee backed down, conceding all the demands made. However, they eliminated all the amateur events from the programme, and substituted cash amateur events instead. Not that the amateurs care very much, perhaps. It is plain they had a grievance, but they made a mistake in not acting in concert with the cash amateurs. Then the Sports Committee would have had .no option. The cash riders are certainly not as yet a very strong body in Wellington, but they have come out on top in tho matter under notice. Of course, the Committee is standing by them, and it will be to their interests to provide good racing on Saturday, if it can be provided. It is a pity that friction should have arisen between the two bodies, but the primary cause was the money-grabbing propensities of the Exhibition Committee, who ought to have shown more tact and acted more discreetly. One would infer from their extortionate programme that they were desirous of recouping the' cost of laying down their track as soon as possible. lam not writing in any spirit of ill-will against the Sports Committee, but it is plainly evident that had they formulated their programme in a more moderate spirit at the outset the present unpleasantness would never have occurred.

Wellington medicos aie taking to the wheel. Hr Martin is the latest victim to the craze.

The Hub is the title of a new cycling journal issued by “ Tit Bits ” Newnes. Messrs Baillie Bros, are the local It is a readable, well-compiled publication,

Every man retains the peculiarities of liis gait on the bicycle. If limps in his walk, he limps on the emphasising one stroke more thaxv an.other, and so on with quick ivalkers. and slow walkers, lazy or energetic people. This might be carried further —meo who ride show their dispositions as yioli. The man who will have no resjAect; for your feelings in his office will ruiy you down in the street; the imperious ’man expects every other man to get out of his way; the easy-going, good-natured fellow will'turn out for everybody because he hasn’t time to look out for them; the neat, precise man rides upright and keeps his line with mathematical precision; while the slouch is always shifting his seat, and wobbles all over the road. We have not heard of the professor who reads men’s minds from the way they wheel, but he will soon be on deck, and doubtless will hit as close as the palm reader, or any of the clever people who can discover the inside of a man from his outside.

A certain inventor, whose name is identified more particularly with a scheme for improving the tramcar of to-day, has devised a means of doing away with the pneumatic tyre and still obtaining all the buoj'ancy that is desired. A pneumatic tyre costs something like ten times the money at which it will be possible to make the patent article that is to supersede it. The invention is now being considered by one of the largest firms of cycle makers in the English midlands. The great drawback of cycling as we now know puncturing of the tyre —will -o removed if the /patent is found ro fulfil is claimed for it; anr v cycling will, as a consequence, beyond all doubt become even more, popular than it is now, if, indeed, that is possible*.

At the annual meeting of the Birmingham Small Arms and Metal Company, the report showed profits of =£51,000, against .£43,900 last year, an increase mainly due to tho cycle components trade. A dividend of 20 per cent, was declared.

All travellers by sea know the legend “ Passengers are requested not to speak to the man at the wheel.” The advent of the motor car in. the U.S.A. has nccessited the sign “ Do not speak to the motor-man.” The other day at Boston a lady who read the notice remarked, “ I wonder why not ?” Then id winsome voice she inquired of that functionary, “ Why mustn't one talk to the motor-man ?” He told her it was against the rules. “ But why is it against tho rules ?” “ Because it is.” “ Then you J don’t like to be talked to ?” “ Ob, yes; but —thunder ! I came within an ace of running down that old gent.” “But T should think it would be nice to have sw body to speak to, instead of talkie*" -unebody all day long.” “ Lady, yo v ' d to noto stop talking, or there is . -*• ar e going-smash-up on this line, ' » om g to be a see?” “ The hateful. aad a bi g one—uiimg. And I do so

want to be sociable like. He’s married, I’ll bet; lie’s just like Henry when he’s got the paper under his nose.”

It has been laid down by judges, whose dictum is regarded as an authoritative interpretation of the law, that a constable is not jusified in violently stopping a bicyclist, and that he commits an assault in doing so. But an English magistrate, who adjudicated upon the alleged offence of an unfortunate student summoned by the police for furious riding, evidently regards this decision as one entitled to no respect. The defendant was seized by the constable when riding at a “furious” rate, and thrown to the ground, his clothes were torn, and he and his bicycle injured, and Mr Lane regarded this proceeding with complacency, if not approval. Although the defendant’s life ivas endangered, Mr Lane said, approvingly, that “ the constable could not have considered that in the excitement of the moment.” As usual, the ipse dixit of the policeman was taken against the word of the defendant, who was fined and his summons against the intelligent officer ignominiously dismissed.

The cyclists who took part in the Wellington opening run wore all sorts of toggery. Of course, different clubs were represented, but the variety in the way of uniforms was wonderful.

Records aie made to be broken. The 2hrs 38min record from Wanganui to Palmerston established recently by Walls of Wanganui has been lowered by J. A. Thomson of the same town, who accomplished the distance in 2hrs 32min. The rider had a fair wind to assist him during the journey. Thomson rode a machine geared to 66.

The opening run of the Rangitikei Cycling Club was a most successful one. Prior to starting the cyclists were photographed by Mr Billens. In the evening, at about 8 o’clock, the streets were thronged with people to witness the lantern parade, which was headed by the band, drawn in a drag. Between 30 and 40 cyclists, with over 100 lanterns, paraded up Broadway and Signal street, down Grey street and High streets and round the Club Hotel block, thus ending a most successful opening. The Marton Band played several selections, and added considerably to the attractiveness of the proceedings. The Club intends holding a run once a fortnight.

France supports the racin'', o-ame more strongly than does as j s s hown by the fact that J the French crack, has. won 11,000 j n se ven months of racing. Cooper or pjajq have won more races than \,acquelin this year, but it is doubtful the two together can show a bank account more than ha.lf the size of tb.e Frenchman’s.

Allusion is made in Bearings to the much advertised Melbourne wheelist. Jay Eaton defeated J. W. Parsons, the Australian champion and tho vanquisher of Zimmerman in the match races held in the Coliseum, Nashville, in August, the first match being the best two heats in three, distance one mile. The match was won by Eaton in two straight heats in 3min 14 3-ssec and 2min 16 4-ssec. The second match was for a distance of five miles under tho same conditions, namely* best two in three, and Eaton repeated his performance, winning two straight heats, the first in llmin 55sec and the second in 12min. In the second heat Eaton ran away from Parsons, the Australian tiring badly at the end of tlio race. Although the New Jersey man is speedy and a good tactician, Parsons was in only fair condition, not yet having become acclimated and having had too short a time after his long sea voyages to make a good show.

It is a pretentious scheme that put forward by tho liouse-to-llouse Cycle Cleaning and Insurance Company, and if the subscribers exact anything like a full measure of the services they will be entitled to under their arrangement with the company, the income of the latter will be very hardly earned. For sixpence a week each subscriber will be insured for £IOO against a fatal accident, with compensation for disablement ; if a beginner he will ho taught to ride; a competent man will attend, daily if necessary, at liis house to clean, lubricate, and adjust his bicycle, or it will he stored when out of use.

A numerous deputation representing the religious bodies waited upon 1 he Brunswick, (Melbourne) council recently, to draw attention to a musical bicycle parade held on a recent Sunday afternoon in the municipality, and to ask the council to refuse to allow such a demonstration to he again held. The deputation urged that such Sunday demonstrations had a demoralising effect.

J. W. Parsons is about to shake the dust of America from his Number Two’s, In the few races he has ridden in this country (says Bearings), Parsons has shown that he is a true sportsman. If there were more like him on the American path the sport would be cleaner.

Every clay some improvement is added, to the bicycle by tJ, G t jUP - brains " skilled in devisr* „ means power to the b" men device of +’ .jst act a-* -- applying tured ' . g o. Jll e newest c “e n i m uin .nd wor!dm h ) tW f Uty ' iz3cll pneumatic - Ispectsi f d n?w Vhee i 3s but in m °st otlden" fr ° m the comm ® ' ; . blke of commerce for it or sprocket whee[ motive power is supplied by a so spring attached to the hub. 7 T? the fi ont wheel is connected wB of the hind wheel, sq that t)

feet and hands, which are both employe'*j, will tighten and loosen the spring, and so drive the machine, the saddle of whic>. is placed much further back than in. the ordinary make of machines. It is cl?imed that much greater power i 3 developed by this means.

It is hoped at Home that tho advent of the motor car will not mean tyred wheels and a noiseless approach, liko that of the bicyclist who rings his alarm bell at two yards’ distance, when travelling at the rate of twelve miles an hour We have nearly all had narrow -escapes and unpleasant shocks from tloss terror on wheels; but have been more fortunate than the Avoman Avho Avas suddenly spun round by a “scorcher” in Aldgate (Eng.) The rider appeared in the police-court and pleaded that the policeman who had arrested him “ meexed him up and muddled him so ” that he gave a false address. He was fined 10s and costs, and. nothing was said about the feelings of the unfortunate woman Avho was spun round in that violent manner. Why not arm policemen Avitha “scorcher '*'' i net, to teach the incorrigible “ scorcher ” how it feels to be spun around a little? One such example would have a tremendous effect.

Martin, after his race with McDonnell, said, “ I thought I would be beaten when I started, but I intended to have a try. I never thought McDonnell would crack up so badly. I have not been at all well. I have been constantly training for three years, and I am now feeling it. The handicap races tell on me severely. In the scratch races I get a breather, but in a handicap I must go all the time, and I now find that the strain is tolling against me. Mr Hawley (the -secretary) offered me d?!0 every time I lapped McDonnell—that is, if I was able, but I was afraid to risk my chance. If I had been beaten I should have lost my reputation.”

It has been assumed by recent Waiters on cycling, says a London weekly, that Bishop l, Deans, and Archdeacons, notwithstfl*' W the provocation offered by their ° costume, havo -hitherto rtfval- jM , fl >om the wheel. W hen out- caric»f<- . t d a fanci . ful pic are of a Eisho- on a bicycle _ ha was stippos. o (ia ; . Jrc ]y on his imagination, f It 00 improbable and undigni1C , evP uheless, a correspondent assures ia ue has proof positive that Deans and .tons at all events do cycle. Hot many weeks ago a well-known Dean had promised to preach one Sunday morning at a village church some twenty miles from his Cathedral. On the Friday the incumbent of the village had a telegram tc say that the Deao had had a bicycle accident and could not come and that his place would be taken by a Canon. On the Saturday another telegram came from the Canon to say that he too had fallen from a bicycle and might not be able to come. The Canon eventually did arrive in a maimed and lame condition, but, being unable to get in and out of a railway carriage, had been obliged to drive the whole way from the Cathedral town to the village. Cycling in these circumstances is certainly somewhat perilous to the dignity of a dignitary.

The M'anawulu Cycling Club at its last Iffeetin" carried a motion approving of the proposal re constituting itself a North Bland Executive for the N.Z.C.IJ. If this is not done steps will be taken to form a North Island Union.

Three vclbcipedists hre tiding round the world —it has been-done before—and will be dotic'again. The individual who has sent them, writes to various Continental hostelries to ask if (he trio will be entertained for nothing in return for sundry notiees in sundry papers. Of course such notices will be unbiassed, and equally, of course, everyone wll dash oil to visit the places in question. Hi: hcrlo the “deadbeats” have been Americans or Germans travelling round the world with “twopence”—and a bet to collect £IOOO before they get back. A Home writer is sorry that the " latest tourists on the cheap” are alleged to be Englishmen — worse luck !

Local devotees of the wheel were favoured with excellent weather for the inauguration of the 1800-07 season on Saturday. As the wheelers began to assemble near Martin’s fountain a large number of the general public also congregated in the vicinity, and ns the 96 cyclists, including several lady riders, moved oil" a few minutes after 3 o’clock, there nmst have been fully 3000 spectators lining the footpaths. The procession passed down Featlierston street, and turned on 1 o Lambton quay at the Government Buildings, thence proceeding along the quay, Willis and Manners streets and Courtenay place to Island Bay. Numbers joined in as the procession advanced, and when Manners street was reached there were 150 wheeli-sfcs—in line, tlie majority being members of the Wellington Cycling Club, Wellington Cash Cycling Club and the (New Zealand Cyclists’ Touring Club. From Island Bay the stream of cyclists returned to town by way of the Queen’s Drive and Evans’ Bay. The procession looked exceedingly pretty as it moved alone*-

its attractiveness was greatly ’ the different colouring of + ’ on the machines. T. j and most success- ' -ueef to by and had .<ie enamelling wer. -- - run urns the largest - ul yet held in Wellimm scores of other r .v -yet uith joined in, tlmI ,jeen °lose on 300 whee l I he Cycling I test, and • j coiP• .a . 3 w>* e -

Australasian competition record, covering the distance in Imin 2 4-osec. Simpson Avas badly beaten in his heat. York won the Two-mile Flat Championship i u lOmin 2isec, beating Wigg.

Lord Hampden’s despatch taken by cycle to Lord Brassey ram—“ I trust that the time Avill soon arri\"e Avheu our riders Avill be able to steer their machines through the border into Victoria without fear of collision Avith Customs barriers'; when passengers by rail Avill he able-to rest at peace while passing the frontier at Albury; and Avhen, in all other respects, Sydney and Melbourne shall bo partners m thejlestiny -and glory of a united Australia. .At the close of the cycling relay ride, Victoria’s G-overnor remarked:— Tliere-ifi nothing I like to see more than the interest Avhich has been shoAva in all manly 'exercises in this great colony. WiiSifeer it be in football, cricket, wheeling, -er in any other manly sport and .pas.ime, I always seem to see some of the iceso men in the Avorld here in Australia,”

Two of the N.S.W. cyclists, Megs on and Payne, tied in a five miles teams race against A. Greaves and T. Gibbons-Brooks at Newcaatle-on-Tyae on the Bth August. Greaves was first, Megson second, Payne third and Brooks last. They Avere both unplaced to'Greaves in a half-mile race the same "afternoon. On the 13t-h August Payne’troh a half-mile race at Sunderland, I)eating Smith and F. Pope.

A covered tricycle resembling a Sedan chair on wheels has been introduced in France, and is said to be very Useful in wet Aveather. The cover is made of aluminium and impermeable cloth, and the Avhole machine does not weigh more than 3olb.

Amongst the leading bicycle importers in ,»,re Messrs Wilkins and Field. They have just received shipments of Dayton, Qhadrant and Waltham machines, Avhich are T-SVgayed at their premises in Manners street, and have attracted general admiration. The machines have all the latest improvements, and are of a high grade. At their spring show Messrs Wilkins and Field exhibited, in addition to bicycles, a very fine stock of ironmongery, cricketing and other sporting goods, perambulators and Japanese goods, and the premises Avere thronged. Jupp’s Band played selections of music.

At a meeting of the committee of the Wellington Cycling Club held last Friday, the following ugav members were elected : F. B. Wilkins, F. Tydeman, B. Dusinburg, J. Foley, J. F. Young, U. Shannon, -- Sullivan and W. J. Pollock. It Avas decided to hold a moonlight run on 21st inst.

It is becoming absolutely unsafe to leave bicycles in the streets in Wellington at night for even a few minutes, for there is evidence that the stoaling of thom is becoming systematic. On Monday a- NeAV Hudson was taken hom tho front o£ tho Junior Wellington Club, and it is only ono of several Avhicli have disappeared lately. The matter A\ r as reported to hie police.

The popularity of this organisation is in-cren-dhg every day, the membership (ladies and gentlemen) now being over 350. The Council have been busy appointing vicepresidents, chief consuls and consuls in tho various towns of the Colony. Besides tho president (Mr Justice Edwards), vice-presi-dents have been appointed as follows : Christchurch, Mr R. C. Bishop ; Blenheim, Dr Cleghorn ; Wellington, Mr J. C. Martin ; Invercargill, Mr Charles It. Edmunds. The following gentlemen have accepted the position of chief consuls and consuls in their respective towns :—Auckland division —Consul, Hamilton, Charles Blackburn. Taranaki division Chief consul, Hawera, .Alfred Trimble ; consul, New Plymouth, Leonard M. Taunton ; Manaia, H. E. Good. Hawke’s Bay division —Chief consul, Napier, Chas. D. Kennedy. Wellington division —Chief consul, Wellington, Johnll. Owen; consul, Wanganui, Robert Anderson ; Ilutt, Dr Purdy ; Greytown, Henry R. Wood; Marton, Louis Cohen; Fcathorston, John W. Ca’-d ; Masterton, James P. Brandon ; Palmerston North, Maurice Cohen. Nelson division Chief consul, Nelson, Nelson B. Levieu ; consul, Westport, E. W. Larsen; Lyell, R. W. bhallorass. Otago division Consul, Waikola, Stevenson Wriglit ; Clyde, Albert E. Gye. Canterbury division —Consul, Waimate, F. Akhurs't. Arrangements are now being made fur the appointment of hotels in the various towns at a special reduced tariff. Mr Edmond T. Sayeis, lion secretary to the Club, leaves Wellington for a tour of the South Island in a few days, and while in the southern towns will enrol members and appoint consuls, headquarters, <fcc. The Club promises to shortly become the strongest organisation in New Zealand.