THE COMING BICYCLE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11229, 27 September 1898, Page 5

THE COMING BICYCLE.

TO THE BDITOIt.

Sin, —For some three years or more I have been championing the cause of the bevel-gear chainless bicycle against all-comers, purely as a matter of theory and on reports of trials from France and the United States. The old difficulty bf cutting mathematically perfect gear-wheels once overcome, it seemed to me to be but a question of time for the bevelgeared chainless to supersede its rival, the chain-geared machine. I forgot, I confess, that prejudice would have a large say in the matter, as it had in the early days of pneumatic tires, when the few rash advocates of that invention were looked upon as hardly in (heir right minds. Through the courtesy of a. local agont, I have been permitted to inspect a bevel-geared chainless bicycle of the latest typo, and I have found all my expectations fulfilled. I think that every cyclist in the city who is really interested in the. progress of the sport of sports should make a point of seeing the. malolune, and thinking about it, too. The weight of the new type will be against the mount for a while, such is the desire for feather-weight machines at present; but I believe that il>e virtues of the gear will soon bo found to overbalance the apparent drawback of three or four extra pounds to drive. Tourists especially, who take to tussock and shingle as readily as to macadam (quorum pars fui) should not object to a slight increase in weight that means additional strength. The idea that bevel-gear would quickly wear beyond the possibility of acourate adjustment has always been opposed to mathematical theory (the high perfection of the workmanship being assumed), now it is shown by experience to be opposed to fact. Machines that' have run thousands of miles—l think the correct figures are 13,000 —have been examined by experts and found to show no appreciable sign of wear; which should convince the practical man, even as it reassures the mathematician. I sincerely hope, speaking in the interest of cycling, that some bolder spirits will make

the venture and show the cycling public, byactual performance on local roads, the capabilities of the new type of bicycle.—l am otc, Twenty Years a CrcMST.

Tho annual social and dance given by the employees of Messrs A. and T. Burt was held on Friday evening, the Chora! Hall accommodating fully 100 couples. Considerable atten-

tion had been bestowed upon the decorations adorning the hall, which had a decided effect towards lending a pleasing and festive appearance tc the gathering, and an energetic committee, working assiduously, succeeded in making the whole of the arrangements go smoothly and well. A varied programme of dances was gone through, and all present seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly. Excellent music was supplied by Yates's Band, and the catering, in the hands of Mr S. Lean, was done full justice to. The proceedings at intervals were also enlivened by songs and musical items contributed by Miss Lorimer and Messrs A. Downes, J. Stewart, and Colston, whilst Messrs Johnson, Reid, and King acted efficiently as M.C.'s, and a pleasing entertainment terminated only at an early hour in the morning.

Ethel E. Benjamin, barrister and solicitor, Albert Buildings, Princes street, Dunedin (opposite C.P.0.), has trust moneys to lend on approved security.—Advt. .

Advice to Mothebs I—-Are you broken in your rest by a sick child suffering with the pain of cutting teeth ? : Go at once to a chemist and get a bottle of Mrs Winslow'b Soothing Syrup. It will relieve the poor sufferer immediately. It is perfectly harmless, and pleasant to the taste; it produces natural quiet sleep by relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub awakes, " as bright as a button." It soothes the child, it softens the gums, allays all pain, relieves wind, regulates the bowels, and is the best known remedy for dysentery and diarrhoea, whether arising from teething or other causes. Mrs "Winslow's Soothing Syrup is sold by Medicine Dealers everywhere at Is ljd per bottle.—Advt.