NEW ZEALAND CYCLISTS’ TOURING CLUB.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 2875, 18 July 1896, Page 2 (Supplement)

NEW ZEALAND CYCLISTS’ TOURING CLUB.

Lack of apace prevented me dealing with the prospectus of the above Club last week. The subjoined particulars should convince any cyclist of the benefit to be gained by members of such an institution. The name of an intending member will be published in the Club's monthly Gazette , and if within 14 days from the date of such publication no objection be lodged against a candidate by any member, he will be declared duly elected. Members will receive regular copies of the Club’s journal without any charge above the subscription to Club. All applications for membership must be accompanied by the amount of subscription (ss) and entrance fee (2s 6d), which will bo returned if the applicant is not elected. The following further particulars aro given ;t The principal objects for which the Club is to be established, and the advantages tp be derived from membership, may best bo understood by the following, which is taken from the prospectus of the English “ C.T.C." (adapted to the circumstances of the Colony):--To encourage and facilitate touring in all parts of the Colony. To provide riding and touring companions. To protect its members against any infringement of the rights and privileges to which they are entitled, and to extend those rights and privileges wherever possible. To secure, and appoint, upon special terms and at reduced rates, hotels and accommodation houses in all parts of the country. To appoint a Consul, wherever possible, who snail render to his fellow-members local information germane to the pastime, unobtainable from other sources. To .similarly appoint Official Repairers, competent to remedy breakages and defects in machines. Tp publish monthly an “Official Gazette,*’ to be Sppplicd gratis tp members only. To compile, and issue tp members at reduced prices, maps and road bopks especially adapted to the requirements of tho cyclist. To inculcate and encourage an esprit de corps in the brotherhood of tho wheel, and to uphold and promote the true interests of cycling . throughout New Zealand. Some of the advantages to bo doiived from membership are:—

(1.) Intending tourists may procure from the various Chief Consuls, free of cost (save in the Districts to which the published Road Books of the Club apply), full particulars as to the best routes from pae part pf tjio country to another, as well as details of the chief items .pf interest. (2.) The assistance and guidance of the local Consul cap bp epunted upon in every place of importance. " '

(3,) Tho benefit of tho special and reduced tariffs will be obtained at the appointed hotels in nearly every town and village |n the Colony. The tariffs and discounts that apply to these houses will probably result in the saving of a large per contage of the ordinary charges of the hotel, and the annual subscription will, in consequence, frequently be recouped in a single day. (4.) Companions of kindred tastes will bo readily secured by tho free advertisement which will bo given to the members' requirements in the Club Gazette (for details of which ace below). (I.) A member may purchase tho Official Road Books and Handbooks of the Club. It is hoped that eventually the former will comprise a complete Route Book, and tho latter lists pf appointed hotels (licensed and temperance), with particulars of the special tariff and discount applicable to each; lists of Consuls and Repairers; rules and regulations; a diary, and riding records; hints as to touring, and repairing machines; and much qthgr information indispensable to the tourist. (0.) The member will have the right of purchasing and wearing a neat bfdge of the Club, which will shortly be kpoyn all over tfoo Colony, (7.) Che members will be supplied gratis, month by month, with a copy of the Club Gazette, a magazine containing full details of the Club’s progress, reports of the meetings of the Council and tbe membership, and other matters of general interest to cyclists, * • ‘ Apart from these material and personal advantages, tho member wifi have tho satisfaction of knowing that he wifi be aiding, by his alliance therewith, a body which will ever bo on the alert to promote the best interests pf cyclists, and which will endeavour (q bo instrumental in ?• (a) Reducing the charges for the transit of cycles by passenger train, as well as securing special concessions In tho way of reducing rates for both machine and rider. (fc) Removing all unreasonable restrictions upon the use of public parks by cyclists. (c) Abolishing tbe conflicting and anomalous county and borough by-laws, and substituting therefor a statute law declaring cycles to be carriages within the meaning of the Act, and entitling them to all the privileges and benefits applicable to other carriages, (<l) Upholding and improving the status of the wheelman by condemning furious riding and every other practice likely to bring the cyclist into disrepute with other users of the roads and the community at large. (#) Supplying, erecting, and maintaining warn : ing notices pn dangerous bills, (/) Compiling reliable Road Books, to) Watching and opposing all measures restrictive of cycling introduced into Parliament or by local authorities; f*) Agitating in'favour of, apd introducing into Parliament, ft measure compelling all vehicles to carry lights at night, and cooperating with Qcuniy sndJ3orougb Councils la dealing with the matter by moans of bylaws in their own particular districts.. (0 Inducing hotel proprietors and other public caterers to study the special requirements of Uie wheelman, and to deal with him in a generous spirit. (J) Perfecting the dress of tbe cyoli&t, and providing an ideal outfit for the uso of each (Jt) Obtaining tbe mere efficient supervision and maintenance of the roads throughout the Colony. —“ Cyclometer ” in tho N.Z. Mail.