WHEELING.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4871, 24 January 1903, Page 6 (Supplement)

WHEELING.

(By "Austral.”) The intrepid "Willy iSohwiegorshaason, of round-the-world-awheel lame, bus turned up in Sydney. The New South Wales metropolitan papers uro giving him a good hearing, -lie staled to a Sydney' reporter that he had cycled 21)01) miles ip. blew Zealand, lie intends cycling to Brisbane, aud will thou return to .Newcastle and take passage on a sailing vessel for Valparaiso, South America, lie will 'wheal across youth America, then cress to South Africa, thenco to Japan and North America, returning from there to Leipsig. Germany, his starting point. The Nelson Wheel Race meeting promises to be a record event for that town. Among tho competing cyclists will be "Plugger Bill” Martin, “Pcdallcr” Palmer, and George Sulheiiaml. .I’. CcTitnoll, of Temuka, and Bradley, of 'Wellington, will also be competitors. The meeting takes place on Ist February. About a dozen entries have been received for the 'Wellington Cycling Club’s bill climbing competition, to bo decided between iCaiwarra ' and Crol'ton next Saturday.

The Wellington Cycling Chib held a very enjoyable smoke concert last week to celebrate the addition of the handsome •piano to the club rooms. There were over a hundred members present, and secretary Hood and his committee are to be congratulated on the success of the evening. Mr C. JI. Izard (vice-president) occupied the chair. A programme, consisting of recitations, vocal and instrumental items was contributed to bv Messrs Moschiiii Redder, Zachariah, Young, Smith, Parsons (2), Devine, Newton, Lanrenson. Corrigan, Hollis, King, Lett. AValler, Jefferies, and Gray. During the evening Mr J. Fenton (captain) on behalf of tho club "mom bers presented Mr it. J, Ramsay with a case of pipes in recognition of the recipient’s effects towards tho piirchase of the piano. Tho “smoker” did not conclude till after midnight. The two German champions. Kohl and Dickentman, now in Australia, were recently matched against George K. Morgan, of Victoria, and Frank 8. Beauchamp, of Tasmania, at the Melbourne Exhibition. About I2.(X)i) people were present, and tho introduction of high powered motor pacing machines proved a great, attraction. A Melbourne writer says:—“Beauchamp and Morgan, though plucky enough, lacked practice behind the motors, and the vast difference between the style of the visitors and that of tho local men was plainly apparent on Saturday night Of tho four riders. Kohl is easily first in all the points that go to ensure the making of a first class follower. Dickentman is a close second to tho German crack, while nf tho two Australians Morgan is, as far as« following the motor alone goes, much better than 'Beauchamp, but the latter would beat him in a race, as he is capable of hanging on to pace that would shake Morgan off.. I|he Australians were somewhat handicapped also by tho machines they were riding, as compared with, thoso used by the. vistors. True, Morgan had a 24in wheel fitted to his bicycle similar to that used by Robl and Dickentman, but he had to ride with the handle bar of his machine le-ersed m order to got close to the pacing motor. Beauchamp had not the advantage of a small front wheel, and therefore, could not ride close in to the motor, and consequently lost much of the assistance given by the -machine. Tho local riders were also handicapped by being unable to instruct their pace makers, these latter understanding or.lv German, and while the "Goh sohneMer”- (Go faster), and "Geh langsannner” (Go slower)) uttered by Robl and Dickentman had the desired effect immediately, the ‘ More pace,” "Stick it in” and “Go on” frequently uttered by Beauchamp in the five mile race against Dickentman had no more effect on tho stolid Teutonic pace makers astride tho Australian’s motor than it would have had if addressed tn the motor itself. Beauchamp complained to tho officials at the conclusion of the 5-mile race about the pace, and his protest had the desired effect, for in his two other races the pacing was everything that could he desired. It is to ho regretted that a. few thoughtless persons vigorously hooted Beauchamp’s pacers at the finish of the five miles, for they erred solely through ignorance of Beauchamp’s requirements. and not with any ulterior motive.” Tho races were run at night fime under -dectr-e light. The events we-e 5, 10. and 15 m-1e matches between Robl --nd Morgen, and Dickentman and Beauchamp. All rode im gears, and the four motor tandems were ecnr-1 to 1“0 and nn without Dm slightest hitch. Tho noise of thy motors sounded like a ba.riery of Max-m mi-is Tn the first re re. a five mile rich "Omkontmnn boat BeatK-lia—u bv a few ]m-o+b-in Srain 55 1-sseo. Robl pert defeatrU "Morgan over the <*-p-r distau-n bv-iearl--n, lap in fin-in 11 Dirke-t-ur then defeated Beauchamp in a 10-m-l" race, the latter accidentally touching tie

Heel: with his pedal ami falling. The XiisiimniiUi rode the fa-.tc-b mile of the track, river tpe same distance Robl' won Jium Morgan by a fu’.v lengths iu 17mm .-!< wer. The l.Vitiile “go”' beiweeu Dickimuous roar of excitcmejif. ami after one of Iho inn-t lb rilling struggles ever by about 10 yard:, in 27u;in C 1-5-ec. Moral, n’s lyic blow cut in the 15-mile nice l;e 1 r 11. ho and I,’obl. and he fell heavily ia ifie last lap. M Ol gan was revere).! shaken. The AusiJ'aliau Natives’ Association are paying Al5O fur “Major” Taylor’s appearand! at vhtjir jniii mil race meeting a' Melbourne 011 the _2tith lest. He will cimpety ; 0 1 i:- .V.iv.A. Vviiecl Race ana rewraj other events. De««chai;ii», the tall Tasmanian, recently won a mile hunoicap in \ ictoria ;u the A usti'aii.siiui couipclilion record of liniu 55 3-ssec. from the 5 yard mark. It. Connell, the New Zealand back marker, defeated Bill Martin at Timaru on 11:0 2ml instant in a mile scratch, by two leer, iu 2miu 30 3-ssec. ft is practically arranged that’ “Major” Tailor will race at Christchurch iu _a few weeks’ time. Tlie Timaru people will probably hold a race meeting at which Tavlhr will compete. ’Unfortunately for Wellingion enthusiasts cycle racing is extinct iu tho capital city. “MAJOR” TAYLOR SPEAKS. AGAINST SUNDAY . CYCLING. A NOVEL INTERVIEW. “Major” Taylor, the American negro cyclist, who is receiving J.TSUU for racing in sixteen races in Australia, is causing a flutter not only in sporting circles but also among churchgoers. Taylor is proving a great “draw,” crowds of 20,000 people being attracted recently to the Sydney Cricket Ground to see the negro’s marvellous sprinting powers. Taylor gave a short addressrio a Sydney Baptist congregation, o- few weeks ago, invoking young men not in desecrate the Sabbath. The Sydney “Baptist” recently interviewed the world famed rider, aud in a live-column article says;—“The chief interest in “Major” Taylor’s visit is from the Christian standpoint. .For years this man of deep and strong convictions has been preaching to the sporting world a

silent hut eloquent sermon of example. From the moment ho became a professional cyclist, ho set his face sturdily against Sunday racing and Sunday riding, and has sacrificed thousands of pounds rathe."’ than ho false to his convictions. In an interesting chat with the champion lie explained his position on this vital question of Sabbath observance. Ho is a most unassuming man, and so modest iliac almost every word had to bo coaxed from him. “Why don’t I race on Sunday? For the same reason that you don’t conduct races in this country on Sunday. 1 presume for religious reasons. There is no question about what you say, that cycling has been responsible for a good deal of Sabbath desecration.

“I have always taken the stand. My people wore very religious people. X ivns brought up Puritanical, and I’ve always tried to live up to it. “I was horn in Indianapolis, Indiana, and am 21 years of age. 1 have been racing more or less for the past eleven years, and won my first race when 13 years old on tho old "high wheel. I ■ redo well as an amateur, and did very well; but I ilili not ride professionally until the spring of ’27.

“My people were Baptist’s. Yes, sir, I am"a Baptist, and of course yen know wo are more strict than some, who do not seam to mind Sunday cycling, or dancing and theatre-going. Baptist discipline is very rigid iu many respects—at least some people‘consider it so. AVe only regard it as (be richt thing. “Yes; I have been a member of the John street Baptist Church. Worcester, since 1833. Tho Rev. Hi rain Conway is Hie minister. Yes, sir. it is a.‘coloured’ church.

“Coming over in the tout from Sen Francisco' there was a Catholic priest on board. We had several little taller, together. One day lie asked we what church nr denomination I belonged to. ‘Well, sir.’ I said ‘I guess I’m a. Baptist.’ ‘Oh. well,’ ho remarked, ‘I think you’ve got a chance.’ ‘Yes, sir,’ I said. ‘I think I have got a chance, and a very good cliar.co,. ioo/ ~ "My father is stili living:, along Tvitli several of my brothers and sisters. My parents were poor. They .used to live in 4ho country on a farm, and of course, you know, all Vo had was just what we needed, and only such comforts as farm life affords. “Yes sir; I am glad to say that I am a Christian, and it doesn’t make any difference who knows it. I don’t make a secret of it. though I don’t go round sounding a trumpet. I am answering all your questions; but I dpn’t wish to convey to yon that I am any hi ore than I really am. I have simply tried to live as a Christian should live. “I attribute most ci my success entirely to the fact that I have tried to do what was right—live fairly and squarely by every maa—and any man who follows those principles is bound to succeed. The fact that 1 am brought among worldly people all the time —people who are inclined to be the other way—makes the fact stand out, perhaps. But I hope I havo not conveyed any impression that I think myself bettor than anybody else.

“Yes; this stand on the Sunday question lias meant a good deal to me; but I have the satisfaction of believing, and the extreme pleasure in feeling that I am right, and I know that many Christian people have been pleased with my testimony. But I didn’t do it for the goodwill of tho people. I have done it because I believed it to be pleasing in the sight of God. and felt that I was doing right. If my action has met with the approval of Christian people, and seemed in any way praiseworthy, well and good. ‘‘After all, I believe, in doing the right thing, and I don’t mind if soine people consider I am wrong. That doesn’t concern mo-. I must say I have been honest and firm, and have not jumped at this in any off-hand way. “There are no Sunday sports in America. It is the same in that respect as Australia. It was in Europe that I refused to race. Ilave I reckoned how much I have lost by not racing on Sunday? Oh. about 30,000 dollars. I think I can safely say that. Where X have realised 10,000 dollars by mid-week racing. T might have made it 30,000 by racing on Sunday. “I declined to ride on Sunday before 1 became a Christian.” “I suppose that was your early training ? Your training saved j-ou until you were saved"yourself?” “Yes, sir; that’s it precisely.

"All sorts of peopilo have como to me —learned, clever men—and have tried to argue with me that riding on Sunday is not -wrong. But it was of no use, I listened respectfully to what they had to say; hut when a man fears God ho has no' other fear, and fears nobody else. "Then they would come and say, 'But VDU know yon can’t always go on like this. You can't akvax’S he at the top. This racing can’t last. In the natural order of tilings it must come to an end. Then what are you going to do? You have no profession' to fall hack on. You ought to make all the money you can now.’

"And I have always said, Tm not living for one day or two. I am going to live on and on—l am living for the eternal, and to a man who knows he is living for (he eternal, and will one day face the Supreme Being, a day or two now isn’t of much consequence. God has always taken care of me. and I believe He always will. I would rather have just a little money, with Christ, and the knowledge that I am doing right, than a big heap of iiipnfr without, either.

"There are people who don’t know what it is to feci here (placing his hand over his heart! that they are doing what i = right: hut the man who does know would not ho without it. "Sometimes they say to me, A fa] or,’ how do you manage to got along as you

do? Y’ou never v.u; p in with any other ; idor on the track; you never seem to Lave a mend, ana yet you win your races and net er have an’ accident.’ ‘•ilk, ye.-,, sir,’ I reply. ’I always have a i’rienU with me, aXTiend w ho lochs niter me; anil it's quite true that I have never had an accident. But, you see, we are not" looking at the same things, or in the same way. You look this way (pointim; -to the left with his thumb), and I look that way (pointing to the right;.’ ‘"The (itst temptation that I had to ride on W'liuiny was the greatest temptation oi jov hie. 1 was 1500 dollars in debt, ami had- to mortgage my little home in \ u er. Titer, there was trouble in the J ..'■ay. ll. Some of the . riders left the Lc' -u-'- I and some others stood by the 1 Unfortunately the other fellow- came cut on top, and fo penalise me. though I had done nothing, they made me nay 5W dollars before I could ride again. ‘••U ell. I hadn’t got tho money. Just ?neu cumc the agent over from Europe, and ottered me a big contract, hut as it nieaut buuday racing i declined. Then I went to one of our bicycle firms and told tho manager about the line, aud ho said. ‘lf .you'll ude our wheel I will pay the" line.’ 1 said, ’All right,’ and he gave mo a cheque lor the 3QU dollars. Then i started in, and do you , know I won every race that season, and when the Fall came 1 had paid off every dollar of that IoUU X owed, anil had 10U11 dollars to my credit iu tho bant. I tell you, sir (aud the champion’s lace beamed with tho joy that he could not conceal), it’s all right. Sunday riding has been no temptation to me sinco.’

“1 can tell you a story to illustrate this Sunday question, about the proprietor in tho great Corliss. engine works, of America. He is a builder of locomotives. At tho Fhiladolphia Exposition ho had 011 exhibition an enormous stationary steam engine, which was used to drive the machinery all round the grounds. AFhcn tho time came to open the Exposition,

sciiio wanted it to remain open seven days a. week while others objected. Finally it was decided to keep open on Sundays, for the convenience, as it was said, of 'the working men, who hadn’t tho opportunity during tho week. Then- Mr Corliss went to the directors, and said, •Gentlemen, if yon permit the Exposition to be opened on Sundays I shall take clown al! toy machinery, which has cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars to erect.’ The display he had was of such significance to tho Exposition that they could not afford to defy him, so they decided to dose on Sundays. “Yes X always keep in condition. My molhods of training? AVell, light exercise daily. X have had one great advantage in keeping in condition, which anybody knows who has followed my example. I havo never used or tasted any liquors in my li.fr- and I have- never smoked or used tobacco in any way. Abstinence from those aro the two most important factors yon can name in training. “A man comes to me and says, ‘Have a glass of beer?' ‘Have a glass of wine?’ 'Have a cigar?’ I decline, and I don’t feel anything. I don’t miss them, because X have never boon used to them.”