NOTES BY DEMON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2087, 22 February 1894, Page 34

NOTES BY DEMON.

Foot-racing completely overshadowed cycling last week, and the talk of our athletic world is the championship meeting and little else. Of the 43 competitors only one, Mr J. Whelan, of Timaru, is known to us as a cyclist. He took part in the One-mile Flab Race, but did not gain championship honours.

Mr Whelan was accompanied on his visit by the hon. secretary of hi 6 club, the Titnaru Tourists. A race meeting is to be held at Timaru on Thursday, March 23, and any competitors from Duuediu would be made welcome.

On Monday night R. Crow (D.C.C.) and R. M'Kenzie (O.C.C ) had arranged to make a trial at records, but the prevailing strong winds put a stop to all attempts. Crow at the Carisbrook grounds, after pottering about for awhile, had a shot at the mile, but, as was anticipated, the wicd was too strong for fast time ; while M'Keczte, after waiting at the Caledonian grounds for the winds to die away, ■wisely decided to postpone his effort till a more favourable time.

At the Carisbrook grounds on the same evening a friendly race over a mile course was run between W. Speight scr, S. Brush scr, C. Speighb 20yds, G. Frier 40yde, and G. Tonkinson 60yds. Ab the start each rider settled down bo reaching the winning post as soon as possible, snd after some good racing C. Speighb came in a winner, just wresting first place from Brugb, who came in a very good second. W. Speight took third place, and the other riders finished close up. Time, 3min llsec.

The members of the Taieri Ramblers' Cj cliDg Club held a club run to Woodside last Thursday afternoon, and report a very pleasant outing. The programme for the forthcoming sports meeting of the Ramblers' Club includes a One-mile Novice Race, Three-mile Handicap (open), One-mile Handicap (roadster), Twomile Handicap (open), Fancy Costume Race, Three-mile Handicap (roadster), and Five-mile Handicap (open). There is al6o the Threemile Championship of Otago, and a couple of running events — 120 yds and 440 yds — complete the programme. AIUnC. Duff, of the Melbourne Cycling Club, left Christchuich ab 7a m.on Tuesday to put up a record between Christchurch and Dunedin. He had mapped oub the following programme: — Aehburton, 53 miles, 1 pm, and stop 30min; Winchester, 92 miles, 6 p.m , sbop3omin ; Timaru, 110 miles, 8.18 p m. ; Studholme Junction, 136 mil' s, 11.20 p.m. ; Oaraaru, 166 miles, 2.30 this morning, and stops 30min ; Hampden, 190 miles, 6 a.m. ; Palmerston, 208 mile", Bam., aud 6tcps 60min ; Dunedin, 245 miles, 12.30. We learn that he passed through

Ashburton at 11.5 and Winchester at 3.40, so that he had gained considerably. The roads were fair going, but the wheel of his machine buckled. • A Timaru telegram Btates that Prichard, of Ashburton, rode from Ashburton to Timaru in 4h sinin. Dunne, who left Christchurch for Dunedin at 7 a.m., passed through Timaru at 3.30 p.m. At a meeting of the Palmerston Cycling Club it was decided to hold a club road race on Saturday, the distance to be about six miles, for trophies and medals presented by Messrs S. R. Stedman, T. Edwards, and Dr Hislop. The last of a series of races for a trophy presented by Mr Northcote was run off between Invercargill Post Office and Woodlands on Wednesday, 14th inst. Four riders Btarted, and a. good race between Bone and Double, who outpaced Sutherland and Lithgow, resulted in Bone coming in first by a short wheel. Time, 36min Bsec, Double being gsec over that time. Sutherland and Lithgow covered the distance in 44min 22sec and 44min 22 4-53 ec respectively. The handicaps were sealed, and when opened it was found that Bone was scratch man, Double receiving 2min and. Sutherland 3min. Double wins the gold medal and Bone the racing pedals as first and second prizes for this race, and on the grand total Bone scores eight points, Wren six, Hannah 4, Double 3. Bone, scoring most points, therefore takes the trophy, which consists of a beautiful set of silver-mounted carvers in oak case, and a silver mug. A. J. Body, who left New Zealand to I take part in the Austral Wheel Race last November, was the night before leaving Melbourne for New Zealand entertained at the Cyclists' Club and given a hearty send-off. He was presented during the evening with the medal given for the fastest time in the last open road race, and in returning thanks said that he was well pleased with the good chances the handicappers had given him, and was of opinion that the Melbourne racing men were fully 50yds in the mile better than our New Zealand riders. Whenever a place becomes well talked about it is certain that some cyclist anxious to find out all about it will sooner or later, no matter what the roads may be like, make for the place on his machine. The Cheviot estate has earned a notoriety of late, and a Christchurch cyclist has ridden to the settlement from Christchurch, doing the distance in 10 hours. The roads are in good condition for cycle riding, though somewhat rough and hilly near the homestead ; and Mr Norris, the cyclist referred to, says that there is every prospect of the settlement going ahead, fresh settlers arriving daily. — - At last meeting of the committee of the Pioneer Bicycle Club it was reported that matters in connection with the Stanley show were progressing favourably, the sub-committee suggesting that the show be held in the Art Gallery about the beginning of September. Miss Atkinson has been elected to fill the position of captain of the Atalanta Cycling Club, and Miss Boyd takes the position of subcaptain. On Thursday afternoon, 15th inst , two bicycle races were held on the recreation ground at Rangiora. The first, one mile, was won by G. Joues (40yds), A. Cooke (180 yds) second, the other starters being A. C Wilmot (scr), W. Wilmot (50yds), and J. Hughes (180 yds). Won by about 10yds. The second race, three miles, was also won by G. Jones, A. C. Wilmot second, A. Cook third. W. Wilmot and J. Hughes also started. A member of the Pamanent Artillery force, mounted on a bicycle, now does duty as an orderly at Victoria Barracks, Sydney, and it is expected that in the near future a cycle corps in connection with the defence force will be formed. The innovation is due to Majorgeneral Hutton, who is well aware of the value of the cycle as used in the armies of Fngland and the Continent. A company, to be known as the Professional Cycling Union, Limited, has been registered in England, with a capital of £6000, with the following objects :—: — j 1. To develop, promote, and otherwise encourage professional cycling by the granting of cash prizes and other awards for cycle racing in competion or against time, and all other forms of cycliDg. 2. To, with the above objects, hold and carry on race meetings both in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, either entirely promoted by this body or in conjunction with such others as may be deemed expedient. 3. To promote professional cycling championships for speed or skill at such distances and in such forms as may be deemed expedient. 4. To arrange and carry out matches, either personal, national, or international. 5. To grant special cash and other awards for beating the recognised record at such distance or distances as may be decided on. 6. To examine the question of professional cycling, and to frame rules and definitions on the subject, and to generally make every endeavour to raise the tone of professional cycling, and make it an honest, attractive, and lucrative profession, and to watch over the interests of all members of the union. Regarding the above union, Mr Lacy Hillier, the one time famous rider has given his opinion against the chances of its being successful. The primary cause, he remarked, was that the people behind it had not a sufficient knowledge of the sport and how it should be conducted. Respecting the capital, Mr Hillier cited as one of the examples of the calls which would be made unon it, the expense of laying down a track. If, for instance, the P.C.U. executive should carry out their intention of purchasing a portion of the Exhibition grounds at West KensingtoD, or rather Earl's Court, the surface of a track four laps to the mile would cost £1200 if wood should be used. There another difficulty would be met, for the Herne Hill "battens" was a patent. Cement could, of course, be used, and that would be slightly cheaper. But by the time that the basis of the ground had been attended to, and the enclosure generally put into working order, a large sum would need to be expended. And for all this it was his opinion there would be but little return. The English public was like no other public in the world. For an amateur event, they would visit a track in large numbers ; even for a school event, run on purely sporting lines, a good gate was a certainty. But as soon as professionalism stepped in the spectators were " off." Big prizes might be offered, bub they would fail to draw a gate. There was also another thing that the paying public would think ef . That was, Will the professionals run each man for himself or would they divide the prizes ? Supposing that a prize of £100 should be put up for competition. That would mean £10 each for, say, 10 riders CDgaged. In competing for medal or trophy such a thing could not be supposed for a moment, and the men would each do what ho could to get first past the judge. Regarding the number of clubs which would affiliate ibemßelves with the union, Mr Hillior was of opinion that the supposition of gettiDg 50 or 60 to join was very far from the mark. Two or three clubs in the Midland?, and others in the Newcastle district, would probably joiu, bub that would be all. The greatest difficulty, however, would be experienced in dealing with the riders themselves

and their methods ; but the necessary support would nob be afforded to make the undertaking a. success. Respecting the probable number of English professionals who might be expected to go upon the brack, 20 would probably bo a liboral computation. Bub French professionals would outnumber bhe Englishmen. " Personally," said Mr Hillier, "I do nob favour bhe scheme, and do nob bhink bhab ib will be a success. The rules will doubbless be drafbed, bub ib will be a hard matter to act up to them. Another thing is that they will probably be rabher vague, and bhab will add obher difficulties bo an already lengthy list."

Mr Jerome K. Jerome, bhe author of '•Three Men in a Boat," presided over bhe ninth annual dinner of bhe Norbh Road Cycling Club, ab the Manchester Hotel, London. The Chairman proposed bhe boasb of bhe evening in a very humorous speech, and also happily replied to bhe boasb of " The Chairman." Mr Jerome offered a cup valued ab lOOgs bo be competed for by Shorland, bhe English amabeur, and Lesna, the French professional, in a 24 hours' race, but bhe National Cyclists' Union would not give their consent bo the match.

On December 12, ab Birmingham, Alabama, Mr F. Dirnberger rode a mile, flying start, in lmin 51sec. At the same time and place J. P. Bliss covered a mile from a standing start in lmin 54 4-ssec. The weabher was perfect, bhe brack very fast, and bhe riders were, as usual, paced by horses drawing a sulky, to which was attached a wind and dirt shield.

The following records have been accepted by tho League of American Wheelmen : — A. A. Zimmerman — One quarber of a-mile, flying sbarb, 26sec, and ona third of a-mile, flying start, 35sec, made ab Harbford, Cb., November 30. W. W. Windle— One half mile, flying sbarb, 56 4 53e0, made October 3 ; one mile, flying start, 56 4-ssec; bhree miles, flying start, 6min 43sec, made October 17, all at Springfield, Mass. Harry C. Tyler — One quarber of a mile, standing sbarb, 295 sec, made October 9 ; one mile, standing start, 2min §sec, made October 11, both ab Springfield, Mass. E. A. M'Duffie and J. Clarke— One mile bandem, flying sbarb, 2mia l£sec, made ab Springfield, Mass., October 5. J. S. Johnson — lOOjds, standing, 9£sec ; 100 yds, flying, s§sec ; one-eighth of a mile, flying, 12§ sec ; one-eighth of a mile, standing, 17jj8ec ; onequarter of a mile, flying, 24§sec ; one-quarter of a mile, standing, 28sec ; one-third of a mile, flying, 34 3-ssec; one-third of a mile, standing, 39 3 s*ec ; holf-mile, standing, 59§aec ; halfmile, flying, 55sec ; two-thirds of a mile, standing, lmin 21sec ; two-thirds of a mile, flying, lmin 16sec. The board decided to bhrow oub all records made with the aid of horses as pacemakers, nob because the riders were not fully entitled bo credit for bheir performances, bub simply for bhe reason bhab bhey were made under unusual conditions, and bo ignore bhem would avoid complication.

A six days' professional race was commenced ab Madison Square Gardens, New York, on December 24. The winner was Schock, who covered 1600 miles 1 lap, bhe scores of bhe obher compebibors who finished being as follows : — Waller, 1484 miles 8 laps ; Martin, 1430 miles 1 lap ; Alberb, 1410 miles 1 lap ; Van Emberg, 1400 miles l.lap ; Golden, 1313 miles 1 lap ; Meixell, 1190 miles ; Foreter, 1045 miles ; Barbon, 1006 miles 3 laps ; Ashinger, 879 miles 2 laps. The winner received 1200dol and a- percenbage of bhe gate money, second man 800dol and percentage, third 500dol and percenbage, fourth 35Cd0l and percentage, fifth 250d0l and percentage, sixbh 150dol. Schock only resbed 31hr 55min during the week, while Waller was 41hr 4min absent from bhe track. He was for some time the leader, and in the first bhree days of bhe race bhe odds were in favour of his winning. His stomach gave out and refused to digest his food ; consequently he fell behind, and was obliged to bake second place. All bhe men were badly shaken up, bub bhey pulled bogebher very quickly, and a couple of days afber the race were pretby nearly as well as ever. Albert weighed 1451b when the race began ; when ib ended he weighed 1351b, a falling off bhab was both weakening and depressing. Each man was carefully groomed during the race. Mosb of them were fed upon chop 3 and steaks, wibh bhe exception of Schock, bhe winner, who took nearly half his nourishment in fruit. There was a good attendance throughout the whole of the race, and especially so at bhe cloee. According bo the published statemenb bhe highesb six-day long-distance record is 1466 miles and 4 laps, consequently this race is far and away ahead of any of ibi predecessors. The sport of cycling is making rapid headway in Russia, and a correspondent in bhab inberesting bown, Nijni Novgorod, informs us (The Cyclisb) bhat so sbrongly has ib taken hold in that district that bhe club there is thinking about laying down a racing brack of half verst to bhe lap, or aboub three lap 3to the English mile. It is calculated that there are now 42 cycling clubs in Russia.

L. S. Meintjes, bhe South African champion, was publicly banqueted ab Johannesburg recently on his reburn from England and America. In proposing " Our Guest," the chairman, Mr W. J. Blake, said that Meiutjos was bhe first man in England bo ride 24 miles 380 yds in lhr, and he held the world's record for 11 miles. — (Applause.) His next performance was that of winning the Brixton Cup, ia which race he covered the 10 miles in 24 14 j^ec, creating records for seven, eight, nine, and ten miles. When they had a man amongst them who could go Home from South Africa and win a 10-mile race by a lap, as Mr Mointjes did in this particular race, and beat such men as Wataon, Stroud, and the English champions, they should feel proud of him. — (Applause.) Then they heard of Mr Meintjes ia America. When he arrived there he did nob feel well enough to go in for short distance races, and therefore he went in for the longer distances. In the 100 kilometrts race he met the best men bhab America and the other parts of the world could put forward, and he ran them, as it were, off .their wheels altogether, and only another man finished — (Applause.) Then he did the marvellous performance of riding 26 miles 107 yds in an hour — the first and only man who had ever done it, acd at the same time creating world's records from six miles bo 26 miles. Meintjes, in replying, said bhey all knew bhero was some slighb difficulty in England when he first arrived bhere. Ib was hardly necessary for him bo say bhey were so keen on amateur sport in England ib was utterly impossible for anybody to do any underhand sport. You were either an amateur or a professional. That was why he had some difficulty with the ruling body, the National Cyclists' Union. They looked on him with suspicion, but that was made all right afterwards. He met with fair play at the hands of all the competitors he had met. He must not forget the Americans.— r.(Applause.) Ab Herne Hill there were Zimmerman and Sanger. He was the only other foreigner bhere. They were afterwards bogebher, and those two men did everything in their power to assist him in every way as regarded bis training. While touching on training he might say he thought our athletes here were very lax in the way of training. They did too much work in boo short a time. In England ib was far different. They first of all pub a " bottom "on and worked on that. Zimmerman was the first to persuade him to go in for long-distaDce ' races, and was the means of inducing him bo go

in for bhe 100 kilometres races. — (Applause, and " Good old Zimtny.') He did not think it would be long before they would see that gentleman in this country. — (Loud applause.) It was wonderful bo see Zimmerman in bho last 300 yds of a race working bhrough bhe crowd like a streak of lightning, and on tracks worse than the Wanderers. — (Oh, oh.) From what he had seen of Mr Tom Parker and the men in other countries, he did nob think bhey could hold their own againsb him. He for one would like to see Tom Parker go to England, for he was sure if he did so he also would come back covered wibh honours. — (Applause.) A lob had been said about him beating Zimmerman, but ib must nob be forgotten Zimmerman beat him bhree times for every time he beab him. Zimmerman beat him six times in succession, so he did nob think there was any comparison between the two.

The German Cyclists' Union has 21,000 members.

Of the various materials which have been tried in the construction of tracks for wheel-racing, ib is generally conceded that wosd has proved the mosb successful. While speed is bhe primary considerabion, a good surface musb possess other qualities to fit ib for racing purposes. Ib musb be such as bo give bhe tyros of tho wheels & good hold, so as to reduce the danger of slipping to bhe smallest proportion?. Ib should nob be of a nabure to ioflicb injury upon those who fall, and 'from this point of view, excessive hardness, whilst favouring speed, is open bo objection ; ib should also bo unaffected by weather. Cement has been bried, both in Paris and in London, with some success ; bub there is a general preference for wood. It is now reported to be in contemplation by the wheelman of Waltham, in Massachusetts, bo lay down in that city a wheel track with a metallic surface. The blocks of metal will be closely fitted together so as to leave no interstices, and no doubt there will be some preparation of the surface bo give a grip to the wheels. A path of this kind will undoubtedly prove very fast, bub the extreme hardness of the surface will nob be appreciated by those who fall upon it.

The British Postal department having pub bhe wheel bo severe tests, have deoided to universally adopt the cycle as a means of expediting postal despatches. In some districts a saving of nearly 100 per cent, will ho effecbed.

Tho new fire cycles, built; in Brussels, are of the tricycle type, with three wheels, on each of which is seabed a rider. The length of hose is wound on a reel which forms portion of the machine body.