CYCLING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2240, 4 February 1897, Page 36

CYCLING.

• NOTES BY DEMON. .' m * The Caledonian ground is nightly a icene of activity, where the training operations of oar local riders an keenly watched and Bzitidfed by a crowd of supporters and others. I faaW just 'returned from watching some fait work pot in by Messrs Cameron, Maxwell, and Bell, and some good paring by Messrs Moore, Ussber, Young, Arndt, Anderson, Henderson, Bden, Coggan, Neill, Sullivan, Parker, Boot, Home, Eggers, and Minn. These riders are all putting in some sterling work, and by the 13th inst. should be la fifejxradition to side each

of them a good race and to assist in making the afternoon's sport interesting and attractive to the public.

The cyolists of Dunedin have taken up the matter of the' redaction of the toll on bicycles ridden on the Portobello road with some energy, and as a result of the conference last Saturday between some influential cyclists and the members of the Portobello Road Board the committee of the Dunedin Cyoling Olub have received a communication from the Road Board that, under oertain conditions to be named at a later period, the heavy toll will be reduced and an opportunity given cyclists to

nte the road. ' , The action of the membera of the Fortobello Road Board in meeting the wishes of the cyclists even thus far is such as will, I am snrr, prove to be one to brine to them a seme of gratification, and oar readers mast feel that they have been met in a fair spirit, and in such manner will return the' compliment to the Portobello settlers by taking every precantion against accident and giving way where there is the least sign of shying shown in a passinf or met htrst. In the early days, before the toll of 5s was imposed, I had many an enjoyable ride to Portobello and Broad B&y, and I can assure those riders who have nob travelled the road astride a wheel that the concession granted is, by reason of the enjoyment to be derived from such a ride, «ne to In- appreciated, and when obtained worthy of some self-denial to be retained. ' — The committee meeting of the Dunedin •Cjcling Clab, held on Monday, .25th, was attended by Dr Roberts (in the chair), Messrs W. Melville, Boot, G. Crow, M'Kechnie, SulliI van, Minn, Matthews, and R. Crow (acting secretary). The secretary reported that matters in connection with the dab's annual sport* on February 13 were in an advanced stage, . and that there promised to be a record number of competitors, including several from different parti of the colasjy. In order to protect the bicycles belonging to' the large number who usually cycle out to the sports it was resolved to reserve the tennis lawn for their machines for tfao imall earn of 3d each, and to engage

two men to look after the machines. A race for roaditer maohines 261b or over, for trophies valmed aV£4, was inserted in the programme. It was resolved that! a smoke conoert be held on the evening of the sports meeting. The secretary was instructed to write to ,Mr F. B. Smith thanking- him for the- handsome touring map of Otago prepared by him ana presented to the club. '

j The dob runs held last Saturday by the ) members of the Dunedin and Otagb Cyoling j Clubs were well attended, and thoie who were I out, by reason of the exoellent weather, good roadri, and invigorating qualities of the mineral water at the springs, speak well of the afternoon's outing. A number of riders made a stay at Henley for the week end. I have received a copy of the programme of the Championship meeting to" be held at the Athletic Park, Wellington, on 24th and 27th intt. On the first day two championihips, Five-mile and Ten«mile, are to be ran, along with a Five-mile Provindal Championship and five other races ; while on the second day the Half-mile Championship, the One-mile, and the Twenty-flve-mile are to be ran, along with; eight other races. Entries olose on Monday, 15th inst., at 10 o'olock. Nine-tenths of the collisions that occur between cyolists are due to the fact that either one or the other was where he did not belong. A oyclitt may have been coming down the lefthand side of the highway and met another ooming towards him on the same side. The rider coming on the left-hand side has the right of way, and the rider approaching him should cross over and get out of his way. Yet some of them will try to crowd between the cyclist and the curb, contrary to all road rules | and the rules of common sense. Result : Both Igo down. O&* has his wheel broken, and ! deserves to have it broken, the other has his : wheel broken ; and the man responsible for it should be made in some way to pay the damage. A oycling clnb has been formed at i Wyndham. The club is named the Wyndham Cycling Clab, add has for its office-bearers: President, Mr James M'Lauchlan ; vice-presi-dents—Dr Menzie*, and Messrs W. R. F. Fraser, I. W. Raymond, H. Ive, John Wood, and F. Shirley (Bdendale) ; captaio, Mr J. A. Greer; deputy-captain, Mr Alfred Robinson; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. W. Illiogworth ; h&ndicapper, Dr Bffenzle* ; committee— Messrs J. Goldmg, S. Crawford, and J. Ogilvy (Bdendale). IFhe dab will affiliate with the New Zealand Cyoling Alliance. The olub fee is fixed at] $« for gentlemen, lady riders to be admitted free. . . ; The West Taieri Cycling CJub and the ' West Taieri Cricket Club amalgamated to hold a sport* meeting at Outram on Good Friday. Messrs M'Phail and M'Bryde are working up an attractive programme. — At the annual meeting of the Tapanui Cyoling Olub the following office-bearers were elected :— President, Mr G. T. Dawson ; vicepresidents, Dr Trotter and Messrs A. M. Clegg and J. Lind ; captain, Mr D. Murray ; deputycaptain, Mr H. Rodger; secretary, and treasurer, Mr W. B. M'Alister; committee— offloers and . Messrs F. Lischner and D. Oolquhoan. A vote of thanks was accorded the retiring officers,' and alto to the gentlemen who donated prizes for competition during the year. A' similar compliment was paid to the retiring secretary (Mr D. Oolquhoun). It was decided to hold a road race to Waikoikoi and baok on the evening of Wednesday, February 17, oommt/ticiDg at 6 o'clock. Councillor Wylie, of the Waitaki County CouKoi), is an enigma. , There is nothing libellous in the expression, and we therefore consider ourselves absolved from any atteaapt to rob Mr Wylie of that whioh would not enrich us and that might make him poor indeed. But at the meeting of the counoil yesterday, he, wlthoat the slightest trace of a smile on bisfuce of a twinkle in his eye, gave notice co move at next meeting that a tax be levied on bicycles. Even the ejaculation of Mr Martin, "Willie, man, I'm a cyclist," did not soften his adamantine visage, and his motion will come before the next, meeting as a serious part of the council's buifness. Mr Wylie is a born' humourist, and can keep a solemn countenance when he most intends to be jooular better than any man we know. — North Otago Times. Mr J. F. Biade, of Dreyerton (says the Wairarapa Times), who was the most successful rider at the Masterton oycling sports, - after riding in every haadicap raoe and getting through a collision, by which he was thrown against a fence, bruising the side of bis head badly, lacerating bis ear almost out of recognition, and also 7 having his thigh bruised from the knee upwards, came oat with the utmost determination and won the three-mile race from Wakeman, who had 145 yds start. After the races were over he mounted bis cyole and rode to Ureytown without having any refreshment whatever .in the way of eatables since taking his breakfast at 8 o'clock indihe morning.

At the Stanley show held in London las*; November, oab of a total Dumber of 2015 machines - exhibits, DunJop pneumatic t*res were fitted to 1187 of them, thus leaving a balance bf 828 to be divided among all the other tyre companies. ft. is stated that a new American lamp is going to cause quite a sensation. The lamp is described- as beiDg an incan*desoent one, and is so strong that a newspaper can be read thereby at a distance of 70ft' away. There is no cumbersome battery to carry nboufc, and the total weight is under lib. The difficulty of recharging bat been overcome, a fresh charge befog obtained by means of .a rmall chemical pellet, easily carried in the pookefc, . which, on being put into the well of the lamp, generates enough electricity to light up for six hoars. A sextaplet imported from America wa9 used at a recent race trileetiog at Newcastle, New South Wales. It cannot be said that the debut of the "sex" was a sensationally succei*. ful one. With a foil crew op the inability of

Mthe man at the; helm" to keep her head straight caused the dislodgment of the riders after much 'wobbling. Subsequently with, a craw* of four the lone machine, steered .by M'Oombe, was propelled a few times round the' teaek without much apparent difficulty. The "mx" measures 18ffc overall, its weight fa about 1401b, and it is geared to 117.

A recent cable gives the result of a raoe for lO.OOOrr run between O. F. Barden, the Bnglirh professional, and Constant Huret, the Frenoh onampion, on January 10' at Paris as a wig for the Boglishman. Huret gives the following information to the Paris correspondent of the Sportsman:— "By. the *ay, Constant," ,raid toe correspondent, "how was it you ever obmmenoed racing on a wheel P" "Why, so as to gee out of the dough— no, I mean the bakery,, where I «»rned but very' little." "Were your family pleased at the obaoge of station fc life of their son P" "Rather, for, thanks w me, they are now moderately comfortable and well off in their declining years." " When you 'throw up racing what wilPyoa do?" "I do not know yet." "Without Indiioretion, about how muoh have you won this season ? " "I have not cait up, bat I am owner of nearly £4000 sinoo I started my career." "What is the most marked event In your memory since first racing P " "I think the eight-day race, for ib was after that that I threw up the baking business." "Will you ride ag*iu this year P " A peculiar smile played on his face as he shook me by the hand and said, "Bjnjour; il fait tres froid?" (Good day; very ooid, isn't it P).

The Railway department of Vio- ! toria h«s intimated 'to the League of Viotorian Wheelmen that btojolea would be carried on the railways at reduced rates as follows : — Up to 12 mile?, 6d ; 13 to' 2o miles, 9d ; 21 to 30 miles, Is; 31 to 50,1s 6d ; 61 to 100 miles, 2s ; each additional 50 miles, 63— to be charged doable the bicycle rates. Messrs Howard Bmith and Sons have agreed to carry the bioyoles of league members free of oost when accompanied by the owners.

' According to WheeUog thete is about £27,000,000 involved in the English oyole trade, of which about £12,000,000 has been supplied by the public To earn alO per cent, dividend— and that is considered a reasonable return for money invested in the cycle trade— a sum of £2,700,000 U necessary, and as there are over 130 firms trading to secure this, it does not seem too much to expeofc. Humber and Co.'s net profits for the past year amounted to £67,000 ; the Premier Company earned £80,000 ; and it is rumoured that the Duolop Tyre Company has earned over £1,000,000. The following records were made by Michael at New Orleans on November 12 :— Two miles; 3min 33f«eo; three miles, s»in 22m c ; four miles, 7inin 16«eo ; five miles, 9min 7 4-s»eo ; «ix miles, llmin Ogtea ; seven miles, 12min 53 3-Sseo ; eight miles, 14min 46 3-sieo ; nine miles, 16min 40§«eo; 10 milts, 18min 33Jiec • { Unless one has visited a great bicycle j faofcory^says Bioyoling News) it is not easy to ; appreciate the many delicate operations that the parts of a bicycle are subjected to — the many tests that must be. passed, and the hundreds of careful inspections that the many parts most pass before they are considered worthy or good enough to be assembled into a bioyole of standard worth. Visitors to a big manufactory are surprised at the extent of the plant, the perfect appointments, and air of j ducipline that prevails throughout. It does not take the most inexperienced long to see why it costs so much to build a good bioyole. ' The most exacting care is required, toe very , best materials ate necessary in every part, skilled labour of the highest order is essential to obtain the desired result*, and if any part gets through the inspection room and is afterwards found imperfect it is nothing short of marvellous. ' ' i According to French statistics, the olasses whibh take most to cyoling are, first, clerks, then merchants and persons living on their incomes, followed by doctors, oivil servants, lawyers, engineers, -&9. ; deputies and senators winding np the Hat. At a recent ball fight in Madrid the spectators were somewhat startled, by the appearance of the matador Rodriguez and the picador. Bftdila in the arena on oyous. At toon m the bull entered Rodriguez retired with bis bicycle, bub Badila, the picador, on the contrary, rode towards the animal, but could not manage to ge& a stroke at him. The infuriated beast did not understand the innovation, and went for the machine, and quickly hurled the cycle and rider into the air. Badila was upon bis legs without delay, and soon utrack down the bull, which had hopelessly shattered the machine.

A bicycle raoe with a panther was the exciting experience of an Boglish lady in Singapore one evening lately. When riding slowly homeward* along a road outside the town the cyclist found that she was being quietly stalked by a huge blade pantiw. She had the presenoe of mind to *tart off full speed, and soon distanced her pursuer. -— — Outside Copenhagen cyolints must dismount at every small hills and walk down under penalty of a floe. — — An American paver, referring to the effect of Michael's (the Welsh wonder) example upon the rising generation, says : — " The small boys in the land begin thinking there is an excellent opportunity for them now that little Michael is breaking world's records. Michael in 21 years of age— many say younger, and, like the women, Jimmy hates to tell bis age. Michael is as small as onr eight to ten year old school boys, and is one of the greatest, if not the greatest) longdistance rider* in the world. His riding at the GarfleldTark track in Chicago has inspired every lad on the West Side with the racing fever, and the number of youngsters now riding themselves into pneumonia, bronchitis; typhoid, diphtheria, or a do*en and :

one other ailments ii rapidly on the itrorease. On the ooldest days the traok has its hondrtdf of riders, who go tearing round the eementi surfabe at racing gait, work np a good penptra* tlon, and then stand or He around to watch Johnston, Michael, and their pioing crews work oat. In one way the departure of, the record, men from the oity will be a blearing, as the youngsters will not then hire the attraction of, the record-breaking to draw them to the track." — — Jacquelin, the great French rider, hai left the racing track beoauie^he was required! to serve his time in the French army. w JLt ttw indoor meet of the ,pliib,. Jacquelin made liis final appearance, when he was pre* seated with a wreath of palms. wfcHe Uw bind played the M >vlfay ;#>n A ih« big race, and Jaoquelro.was beaten.^ Owing tdr the faot tihat Jtoqaelin'i mother *• a.wldow; & has only to sehre in the army for Id month!. During 1898 he w said to .have won £3000 in p'rfses. ' '"'•'■ ..' . ■ . , . r— ■ Amodg the Inventions hx eyol%fjsji|rfaf ealoulatedto^ interest wheel 'nimmm is a selMnbrloating chain, p»t«nleo;Iw)W; StattSi, II U oUlmed.for this iqT^h'ihW; it proteots the ohtm from dust and dW *way entirely wi(h the use of oil. TBie screw thread is ' tapped in the oeutre block, «nd gtaphite to, inserted in a molh» j^ta aif4 allewtd to harden. The sprocket WJMel' is .simUasW treated.-' This atrangem^nt wjav-tried.by vu iuYeriter, who dlsodTslpd tttat; 'kpke'^^o miles orer roadi pT^oaMy-no^uWMaW iota the abate.- It toeM'.hinf Jp ; jH oorer the 10 oentnrio., fod he not'Jtty necessary to dean the chain' daring the en' time "

—'Th* regulations bsnedty the British Xooal Government Board respecting the operation of the Looomobirea Highways' Acb, passed a few months ago and intended to regulate motor carriage*, are very fair* so that now there is nothing to prevent rapid progress iajtbis.nvfr, method of conveyance. Motor oarnageir>are not to exoeed three tons. jn weight, ezoldiding fuel/ water, and motor. . .Thej mast not be more than 6|fti wide, and -two brakes must be fitted, except on motor; oj ales, when: one brake will unfflce.,. Thd lighter carriages most not travel farter than. 12 'mUris anhoar: x If th« vehiole be more than' one tt>n and a»half, ;bob. nnder twp tons, in weight speed Id Hmltfdto eight miles an hour, but if the weight be over two tons speed is restricted to fire, miles.' an hour. Various widths are' prescribed mt Ihe tyres, and they may be ttther than pneomatio. Java now has a oyollng paper. It is oalled De Indifoo Velo. A vavelavodravomave—;th»t ii understood to be Jfavanes* fer.a' race track— is about to be boilt in oae of ih& largest towns. . . — - The Penning ton motor, whioh M shortly to be introduced to Melbourne, ' weighs but; 22ilb, with 2-h6rse power, and runs a load of four persons up to 30 miles an hour; at a very sm»ll oost. '

A traok enclosure to be put down at Qlaigow will provide accommodation for 100,000 of the public. S»ys Cycling :—" With the World* Cyoling* Obampionihip of next year in view» there are now on, foot, in> Glasgow, various projects for' supplying the pity 1 , with » really firstrelass trtqk •aiUWetp modett' requlrementf.. That mwe' likely to reach' maturity ia Fathered by the famous fQtieeW l*ark Football Club. It> on a most elaborate* soale, including a oeoaenjr'oyble' track and accommodation for 100,000 speevaiors. '$hh olab, it is said, is to upend £30,0001 on the gronnd and ifi Oman in the hope of making it the finest athletic enolosrire in the country." The various branches of the oycfc induitry give employment to aboub 33,000' people in Birmingham and Coventry" alone, and the total English output is now about- 760,000 oyclM per annum, .valued .aft '£^000.000 to' £12,000,000. The English ejporti trad« for 1895' amounted to the value of £1,303J810, aid It' was'expeoted to be more, la 1896. the Hfflit«d' oomptnies in the EnjUsh cycle trade' h»ve » capital of more than £17,000,000, while thftt of the numerous private conoerns throughout the 1 country mint be proportionately luge. In 1896, 1955 patents were applied -for in 1 conneo-' tion with cycle and wsoessory cpnitroctibn. A novel gear whesl waa" exhibited a* the last Stanley show. Inside eeeh i of the "cogs if placed a roller, whioh prevent* friction at ,the point of contact with thebhain. Wit am *he principle of the roller chain, bntwlth'ihe rollers in the wheel instead of on the chain, as*. matter of faot. ' ' ' A o>elist in Minneapolis was coasting on bi« bicycle down a suburban hill, and wh«inear ; the bottom it labourer luddenfy Bobbed up his head f rem » man-trap hole in the r^Ad. The" cyclist was too close to clear 1 the head, end' struck a blow thftt necessitttnd tte lftbonrerV removal to a, hotnitel. The cyclist gave the. workman £10 as % solatium/ but ft lawyer 'got hold «l the man, and.^prevailed upon hinito sne * for £1000 damages, : A wttlemeot Wai arrived' at out of court for £1501. " v ." '^r^-^r; In an Eoglish print dated 1819 there i» a picture of a woman on ja'tncycli. - - "■', It is interesting to learn («*ys the Lady?sr; Pictorial) that the oyple ia Ohloago ia lobkedr upon m a kind of iporal/refpriner.aljd if it'h>" true that it is proving the meapr of onring, victims of the morphia hsibifT it. certainly deserves to be. treated with ' dUtinot respect. Awhile since it was stated that the terrible practioe of drng-taking had reached moh a pitch in that city thu no less than 36,000 of the population were addicted to it. The bicycling is hap;' pily reitoring the young and middle-aged to i. healthier frame of mind and body. Open-air exercise is curing, these enervated people of such' modern ills as sleeplessness and depression, and the means to auoh a desirable. end arthis, is' not to be despised: ' ' ' ;, ''' Cyclittt should aoqoire the/art^pf 'riding; on their pedals as much as' posrible^iillMring. part of their ■weight - only fo tefo ,6if tf&MtaaW' This relieves tbemtohine in wrinr 6ver ' obftruotions, mounds, gaiters, ana ?the "like^ - «nd does much to' prevent strainf »nd ticking' bounces to the rider. ■ ■• — ■ -l •

— — £ most animated diiotiisioQ on the sub*' jeot of whether* Ilrirted section ihoiild be, formed or no'took plwe ¥t the annual* m»*sfng of the Lkdy Cyclist*' Union (Englitfd), If fw ' Barland, a strong supporter flf the rational' ooitume;- spoke 4o favour of the reflation, declaring that an 'arrang?m»nb of this^kind would load to l6ta friction; Several triemberi' •trongly objected " to thi suooiatfon being "divided," although it teemed their f ikfri3 might be. The Bectttatjt pohiWd out that ihe bad received bo oaHyletten from membert who rode in »kirtt, Wd t^at, ; -being mot* or lest ', influenced by th6ir family^ Viewi on the rah-, jeot, did not we ' their way to' joining, the rational rider* op their rnna, that it seemed : only fair that they ibould bave mm arringed; for, them separately. Wna "Vance,. whil« r strongly advcoat7ngTation*l drew, pointed oqt' that very few ladies fell in love with it at &n%' and they had ne right to. forbe' others' iiito kniek«rbocken beoaase th*y thetoielvea found them comfortable. A resolution that.a ■kirtedl' section be formed wa« curried by a mijoritj •! four to ooe. Previoai to the basinelh tOOeraDg* the »ssi.ciatiou held a reception, at, whiba^ Colonel S&ville gave a short addresf,.eabm^|^ the sport and declaring that he hoi^^irwiii'%

would not take it up merely because it was ' fashionable and then drop it.

There are some curious points of law in connection with multicycles. A case recurred recently in which a pedestrian who was knocked down by a taudem claimed damages from the r tiers thereof. Both the cyclists urged nonliability, v but they had absolutely "no case," lor the law is peculiarly clear on this pomt — for a wonder. It — the law, not the point—has laid down that if one of the riders be on the machine at the request of the owner, he is exempt from responsibility ; bub if the riders are joint owners then damages can bo claimed from either or both. In the ease of the riders being husband and wife, both are liablo for damages in proportion to the share each had in the purchase money. The latest use for the bicycle idea is a ejele ambulance. Besides being a more comfortable and safe conveyance for the sick and injured, it has the advantages of being onequarter the weight, and costing one-third of tbe price of an ordinary atnbnlauce. The cycle ambulance is made by the combination of two bicycles, placed side by side ; the intervening space being filled with a pUtform to carry the injured person, combining the two machined in a iigid manner. The froat wheels do the steering, and the arrangement is euch that the rider on either side c&nstmr without interfering with his fellow-rider. With no load, or ouly a light one, one rider can, under certain circucosHnces, propel and steer the mechine. Bicycle experts say that the new cycle vehicle will be tbe ambulance of the future.

The following advertisements taken from the American papers show to what lengths the cycling mania has proceeded in the States :—: — "Wanted — A good second-band bioycle in exchange for dancing leesens." "A postagestamp collection for a first class wheel." " Have 800 second-hand chairs in good order which I will give for two bicycles or oce tandem." "I will give a calt-bouud 'Encyclopaedia Brit»nmca,' worth 150dol, for a highgrade bicycle." "Wanted — A bicycle in exchange for an organ for a museum." " Marine oil painting, worth lOOdol, for a bicycle." "A fine collection of Angora c»ts in exchange for a bioycle." The American bicycle manufacturers havo been speaking ou the matter of the prices for 1897, and while some of the leading ones say. " Our price for '97 will be the same as in 'QB "—that is, lOOdol (about £20)— obhtrs, who make equally good machines, have intimated that their 1897 machines will be retailed at from 80dol to 75d01. The Pope Manufacturing Company officially announce that their prices will not be reduced one iota, but Mr Gormully, of the well-known " Q. and J."flrm. after painting a ditmal picture of tbe present state of affairs in the Statee, says there is a clamour for cheaper wheels, and his firm will reduce to 80dol. Speaking to a Referee representative. MrGormollv said: " The trade enters upon 1897 with 350.000 of '96 wheels still to be sold ; with capital at low ebb, with credit sadly impaired, and jealously watched every day ; with debts from '96 still unpaid, with the publio clamouring for cheaper wheels, and with prospects of a continuance of over-production. Wh*t can bo expected but that lots of concerns, now on the ragged edge, relying on the coming year's businecs to pull them through, will be forced to give it up ? " G. and J. tyres will also be reduced 12s per pair, and this year's pattern will show sevea instead of fire corrugations ou its tread. The price of "Sterling" bicycles will not be reduced, and only one grade of this popular maohine will be made. Pneumatic shoes are the latest development in the air line. They are as neat in appearance as the best ordinary shoe. Between the upper and lower layers of tho soles a thin air-fllled tube is ooiled. The tube is tied up at short intervals, so that if one ceotion should burst the others remain intact. In cycling they are claimed to absorb vibration.

Mrs Hamcl, of San Francieco, is said to J>e the heaviest wheel woman ou earth. She weighs something under 20st. Her bike weighs about 501b, and was specialty constructed for her by a New York firm. Mrs H*mel, despite her weight, is raid to be a regular scorcher. A tandem elopement took place at San Francisco recently, when a racing man named Metcalfe persuaded his adored to elope on a tandem. The pair rode 100 mile*, and tho knot was tied. The youth is not 20 years of sg<*, and when the couple reached home after tbe honeymoon tbe mother declared he should not keep his bride. The joung man differs. The Indians, l«zy as they are, do not approve of the labour-raving bicycle. The "heap good white man" in their estimation is the white man who works bavd, and to &it by and watoh him as he toils seems to afford them never-failing pleasure. Some young warriors of the Blaokfoob tribe sat in the shade one day watehiog % group of labourers who were coustructing a grade for a branch railrotd in Montana. They were commenting upon the workmen and their work, when a oyclist — the first they had ever seen — came riding along the newly completed grade. He had got off the train at the last station, and was going to the lort a little further on. The Indians watched the wheelman without a word until he passed beyond a knoll that hid him from view, theu they expressed their sentiments concerning him. «• No good white man," one remarked. " No," answered another with great scorn, " heap Iszy white man— ai' s down to walk."

A most determined bioycle hater has been converted in no less a personage than the Duke of Cambridge, the Hyde Park Ranger. For many months the Duke absolutely refused to allow bicycles within the precincts of the park. Then he concluded to tolerate them until 10 o'clock in the morning, afterwards granting them the privileges which they now enjoy. In more humble life, ouinerous instances of this kind may be quoted. An old clergyman belonging to the Established Churdh of Scotland possessed an altogether nnsxplainable hatred against the wheel, and often went so far as to denounce it from the pulpit. Shortly afterwards, some parishioners, more as a joke than anything else, subscribed together and presented him with a oycle on his silver wedding day. Than they waited developments. By-and-bye it got round that be was seen learning to ride in his private grounds, whilst more than one individual ought him at the same thing down a teoluded lane. At l*sb he had the courage to openly declare himself a convert to the "bike and commsneed visiting his parishioners thereon. A friend meeting him afterwards reminded him of the many things he had said against the wheel inthe past. " Yes, mon," he replied in his broad Scotch accent, . " but how did I know what it was like P "

A Melbourne wire of the 27th inst. says: "The final of the Native Association Wheel Race resulted thus :— Tibbutb (Victoria) 1, Elliott (Sydney) 2, Barker (Victoria) 3, Body (Sydney) 4. Won by a faw inches in 4min SOgsec. Ken Lewis, Porta, Boidi, Martin, Megson, Pither, P&rrons, and Payne were unsuccessful in their respective heats. Porta (the Italian) won the International Scratch Mile, and also the Five-mile Championship." In a mile bicyole handicap at the Wellington Exhibition track on the 27th inst. ft flight collision between a ooudlo of

riders brought down three others, and it appeared at if the result* would ba serious. F. Hunt, of Rungitikei, and A. W. Humphreys, of Wellington, were rendered partially unconscious, but were Boon up again, though Hunt sustained a number of flesh wounds. Three or four machines wera badly damaged. A Ntjlion telegram states tbat F. W. Shallcrass made a road record from Nelson to Havelock — 50 miles — on Monday, cycling through in 3hr 56sec. A Wanganui telegram states that at a teit meeting of the Wanganui Amateur Athletic Cycling Club, held on Wednesday, for the purpose of selecting a team for the championship mrcbing, W. Ktufjaley broke bis previous Now Zealand record for tho pole jump and pub up the Austcalasitn record of 10ft Bin. In tho cycling events A. E. Wall, who returned from Wellington by the afternoon train with a machine presented for the season by a city ficm, came out and won the one, five, and 10-mila races. THE POBTOBELLO ROAD TOLL. On Saturday afternoon a deputation from the cycling olubs of Dunediu interviewed the Porfeobello Road Board with regard to reducing the fee on bicycles on tho lower road toll gate to a reasonable figure. The deputation con•iited of Messrs Soobie Mackenzie, M.H.R., B.vR. Stock, F. Culvert, J. C. Stephens, G. Crow, A. J. Sullivan, Captain Boyd, and Dr Roberts. - Mr MackeDzie, who introduced the deputation, in the course of a short speech referred to the fact of cyclists now being a large and increasing body of the community, and as. inch entitled to the consideration of the board oh the question of the present prohibitive toll. He instanced his own experience on the part of tho road outside tbe toll (which part he considered quite as daogerous as any lower down) as proof that the hor#e bad now become familiar with the bicycle, and he had no doubt that plenty of oyolists could bear out his ttatement. He therefore could not ace why, with care, every part of the road should not be quite an safe. The olubs were willing to meet tbs boaid, in order thabtbe publio safety might nob ba endangered, by any means in their power, such as the ereotion of signal and danger posts, fixing a limit to the spr>ed, and taking care to prohibit any reckless riding or any "scorching " on the road. They would, in fact, study tbe public safety to the beat of their ability, and, if the board should deem it necessary, also take the water side of tbe road goisg aud coming. He pointed out thiib the revenue would, at tbe nominal fee of 6d, amount to a considerable sum at the end of the season, besides improving the value of the land and " booming " the district. Visitors to Broad Bay were in the habib of bringing their bicycles down durirg the summer months and riding between Portobsllo and that place. He was assured that the slightest friction had never occurred, and that hones had not taken tbe slightest notice of the cyclists. He asked the board to give a few months' trial at a reduced figure, and then the matter could be practically dealt with. Mr Calverb pointed out that the Oriental Bay road, Wellington, was very similar to the road here, and yet cyclists were in the habit of using it frequently, aud no accident had ever occurred there. It was only a question of time when the road would be opened, and that time he thought had arrived. Dr Roberts also impressed on the board the desirability of giving a reduced fee a few montbV trial, and could assure them that cyclists would study the public safety, aud would be pleased to co-operate with the board in that direction. Mr Stephens could only reiterate the remarks put forward so clearly by the previous speakers, and trusted tha board would consider them fairly. As the toll was for tho maintenance of the road, he thought that no prohibitive fee should be insisted upon >n any caao. Mr Crofr, speaking as a summer resident of the Peninsula, gave it as hit experience that horses on the road were quite familiar with the bicycle. He had seen as many as IS oyolifts (ladies and gentlemen) on the road, and tho slightest hitch bad never occurred. The Chairman (Mr Dickson) said that the deputation had made out a strong case, but that the bad corners were really the trouble. Mr Mackenzie pointed out that signal posts would be erected just before these corners were reached, warning cyclists to reduce tpeed and if necetiary to dismount. Probably fences could be erected for the publio safety at these corners. After some further discussion, the Chairman intimated that the decision of the board would be sent to the Dunedin Cycling Club. At a committee meeting of the Dunedin Cycling Club, held on Moaday night, a letter was receive d from the Portobello Road Board intimating that the board is favourable to a reduction of the toll on cycles, subjeot to conditions which will shortly be placed before tbe club. It was decided to scud Messrs Bell and Maxwell as tbe club's representatives ab tha Cbampiocsbip meeting at Wellington on February 24, provided they qualify at the | club's sports on the Caledonian ground on February 13, It was resolved to take legal proceedings against the person who lately assaulted two members of the club on the South road. - The following firms havo sent donations to the prize fund : — Auitral Cycle Agency, Briscoe and Co., Mr W. Melville, and Mr Feltham (fruiterer). Afternoon tea will be provided at the sports meeting, and members will be admitted to tbe ground on presentation of their membership ticket for the current season. Six new members were elected.