NOTES BY DEMON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2258, 10 June 1897, Page 37

NOTES BY DEMON.

—— I hear that there is a probability of the cyclists in Dunedin being asked to contribute something towards the Hospital Ward fund. The ider. is a good one, and worked properly ; should result in something substantial being collected. There is no reason why we should not as a body of wheelmen and wheel women be able : to raise a sufficient amount to enable as to provide a "cyclists' cot" or something that may be named, as showing the sympathy of cyclists with the good work done at our hospital. Tis j not often an appeal is made to cyclists, and I think we can surely be relied upon in the present instance to do something substantial if called upon to subscribe to the Hoipital Ward fund. Mr W. T. L. Travers, solicitor, took ' aotion against an expressmen named Sydney Tovey in the Wellington Magistrate's Court for having driven round a corner at a paoe faster than a walk. The complainant eaid that he was dyeing along Featherston street on the 21st inst., and when crossing Panama stieet he met the defendant, who attempted to turn down Panama street, but did nob allow sufficient; room for the plaintiff to pass. Had not he alighted quickly a serious collision would have resulted. The defendant drove round the corner at a trot. Two eye-witnesses stated that the expressman pulled his horse up before rounding the corner. Mi H. Eyre Kenny, S.M., held that the offence had not been proved, and ordered Mr Travers to pay 4s costs. • The Melbourne Bicycle Club's balance sheet to April 30. 1897, shows :—Assets : By club property, £337 5s ; bar stock, £36 17s lid ; Metropolitan Board of Works debentures, 4- per cent., £1700; premium, £8 per £100, £136; bank balance, £813 19s sd. Liabilities : Nil. Credit balance, £3024 2s *d. — There are now 233 names on the membership roll of the M.8.C., of whioh 109 were added during the past year. An Albury correspondent of the Australian Cyclist thus comments on the mission of scorchers and the small-boy question :—": —" It is peculiarly illustrative of the lopsidedness of things in this tired world that the cyclist is invariably regarded as a sort of demon who goes on a wild career daily in search of some one to run over and mangle. Clearly this is a libel. It is quite likely that some cyclists are occasionally rendered furiously bloodthirsty by the Bight of a leering small boy armed with a brickbat or a piece of tangled wire, but even then he has self-control to abstain from blotching the family ' likeness' of that urchin. The cyclist takes all the risks, or nearly all, in a collision with a pedestrian. The pedestrian's risk is a mere trifle —at the most a broken leg, or a shabbily treated nose, articles having no cash ▼aloe. Now look at the other side. The cyclist takes the chance of smashing his good marketable property, and also his head ! Anyway, from the point of view of the average cyclist, the greatest nuisance ever planted on this universe is the small boy hereinbeforementioned. They regard the juvenile with a hatred second only to that lavished on street car*, and would kill off small boys on sight without charge. Even from the view of Alderman ten Brink (who will yet bestride a machine, and in common with the rest of humanity risk bis mortal soul in spinning awful ' whoppers ' about his speed qualities and staying powers) the average cyclist is no" nuisance. In cycling circles there are three distiuct types of nuisances. One is the lighfc-brained gent who puts one hand in his pocket, strokes hii mouEtache (or its place) with the other, and tries to wear an unconcerned aspect »s he leaves his

shoulders like an old sea 'tub' in a swell and charges violently along the street. The second in the wheeler who darts over street crossings, pedalling as if the furies had him, his form curled up like that o£ a sore-footed barnyard fowl scratching for the elusive worm. And the third 18 the idiot who ' icorches ' until he passes everything in front of him, even it it is only & three-legged dog wearily pursuing his master. These three types are enemies of society, and ought to be killed of? in their e»rly youth." Among the Diamond Jubilee gifts for Wolverhampton is one announced to be given by Mr Edward Lisle (managing director ot the Star Cycle Company, Limited, and director of several other local companies) to the inhabitants of Blackenhall, in the shape of a peal of eight bells to be hung in the tower of St. Luke's Church, to take the place of a single bell now there. Messrs Cook are so satisfied with the success of their efforts last year to extend cycling tours in Normandy and Brittany that they have already issusd programmes embracing the same district, and also covering cycling tours in Holland. The Normandy parties travel by Havre, and thence cycle by Yvetot, Rouen, Evreux, Liileux, Caen, Bayeux, St. Lo, Granville, Avranchei, Moot St. Michel, and St. Malo, the whole tour being accomplished within 14 days. The Dutch cycling tours are intended to visit the Hague, Leyden, Haarlem, Amsterdam, dead cities of the Zuyder Zee, including Monaickendam and Hoorn, returning by Zaandam, Utrecht, Arnheim, Dordrecht, and Rotterdam. There can be no doubt that the popularity of cycling tours on the Continent is on the increase, and in affording such facilities as those indicated in the programmes referred to Messrs Cook are furnishing much required facilities to a large number of cyclists of both sexes. — Land and Water. By way of giving them a Jabilee treat, Mr Fred Hawley, secretary of the League of New Soubh Wales Wheelmen, h*s invited the boys on the industrial ship Sobraon to witness the cycling carnival on Jane 22 and 26. The accident that A. W. Harris met with whila racing in England, and the injuries from which caused his death, is described as follows :—" It happened in the Ten- miles Scratch Race — the last event of the day — and was caused by the breaking of the rim in the wheel oV Harris's machine. This was in the early pact of the race, when the men wero going round the curve into the back stretch, the unlucky lttble Leicester rider coming a terrible crash and bringing down Carl Smifcs, who was immediately in his rear. Smits fortunately escaped nlmo&b scathless, but poor Harris lay all of a heap iv an unconscious state, and badly injured about the head. Medical aid was summoned, and he was subsequently removed to the General Hospital, where he was detained suffering from a fractured skull. It is extremely hard luck for Harris, as he had jusfc got himself into splendid form again, and had only half an hour previously demonstrated how well he was going by beating Carl Smits in the preliminary heat of the One-mile First-class Handicap after a magnificent finish." One of the leading English cycling papers opened a subscription list as a mark of sympathy to Harris, who is described as an unfortunate but gentlemanly little professional rider. It has been repeatedly stated that cycling has a bad effect upon the nerves, and the consciousness of balancing is a great strain upon the mental capacity. •.' To be constantly on the alert whsn riding in traffic." says a would-be cycle destroyer, "is enough to shatter the nerves of the strongest woman in the world." Now, if this is a fact, how do we account for the marked improvement in the nerves of many of our lady riders to whom cycling has been ordered as a means of cure for nervous prostration? No, it is a mistake to suppose that cycling is not a good nerve tonic. There can be pointed out a number of ladies in this City of Dunedin who are living proofs of the benefit of our invigorating pastime. While learning, of course, there must be a little nervousness, bat once mastered the iron steed is the most; docile in the world, and as to riding in traffic — well, no one would do that from pleasurable motives but whan obliged to do so. The bicycle baggage question has reached France, and has been settled with a neatness and despatch which will be the envy of our British wheelmen, who have to besiege one Legislature after another to secure the privileges they deem themselves entitled to. The Minister for Public Works haß simply issued a note of warning to 'the railroad companies, directing them to remove from their schedules of rates all mention of bicycles. Bicycles are baggage, he goes on to say, and there should be nothing to mislead the travelling public into thinking there is anything to pay for transporting them more than other baggage. This action is due primarly to the discussion of the subject by the Touring Club de France. A writer in the Cycle describes a visit to Mr E. J. Penmngton, at the motor mills, Coventry, and the sensations of % ride on a motor car :—": — " Mr Penningtonis well known ia connection with the motors which were invented

by him and bear his name, and says, 'Depend ' upon it, the cycle trade is only in its infancy ; we have nob yet reached tho great majority of those to whom a cycle will bo indispensable in a few years.' The c*r was waiting at the door, so we got on board, Mr Penniugton t&kiug the helm behind, while the visitor sat in front and held tight. A lever was depressed, a couple of turns of the pedals »et the maohine moving, and away we went at a good 12 miles an hour gait. Over newly-laid metal we rushed, or through mud we splashed, until the main road was struck aud we got on to the tram track. Here Mr Pennington pulled out the speed lever, and things began to get lively, while the poor passenger began to think of hia wicked past, but held on like grim death. Faster and faster we went, leaving electric trams doing their modest 14 miles an hour as if they were standing still. Up an incliae and over a canal bridge we sailed without any diminution of pace, and an official timekeeper who was on the car timed us to do a quarter at the rate of 30 miles an hour. To show what tho car could do up hill, Mr Pennington stopped it at the font of a short but steep incline — a gradient of about lin 8. The c*r was started again, and up we went as steadily as if drawn by a oabie. It was a most enjoyable experience, rushing into the wind at the rate of between 25 and 30 miles an hour, without exertion or vibration, .exhilarating in the extreme, and only to be likened to coasting down a steep hill on a bicycle, or sitting on the footboard of a railway engine. The Kane-Peranington motor is perfectly quiescent when 'the car is stationary, gives off no steam, and very little sound when in action." The youngest cyclist in the world is said to be the three-year-old daughter of a wheelman i living in Dcs Moms, United States. She was born with a talent for wheeling, and learnt i with marvellous quickness not only to ride, bub to do tricks on her bicycle. She rides a tiny wheel, and is a member of the Syracuse Club, the members of which have presented her with a gold watch, of 'which she is very proud. Tha , little girl, who looks very dainty when | mounted, is watched with interest by all who I see her with her machine. I The steps to be taken in order to run an I automabile in the streets of Paris ara the folio wing-^-T wo applications must bo made upon stamped paper to the prefect of police. The 1 applicatiou musb give the proper and given name of the petitioner, the principal dimensions , of the vehicle, its weight, the weight oi' th» | supplies, the maximum load upon ths axle, a description of the motor system, a specification of the materials used for producing energy, the conditions and use of these materials, a descrip- \ tion of the brake apparatus, the tests and verifications of the different parts to which tha machine has been submitted, the number of the vehicle, the use that is to bo made of it, the public streets upon which it will run, and tho | place where ib will be stored. The petitioner I must send with his application a certificate of residence from the police commissioners, s, cerI tificate of his birth, his marriage certificate, hia civil condition, and two unmounted photographs. His application is sent to an engineer, who verifies the apparatus and examines the applicant to ascertain whether he is capable o? taking charge of such a vehicle. The report of the engineer is then sent to the chief engineer, who approves and sends it to the prefecture of police. The prefect approves it in his turn aud sends for the owner, who is then licensed to run in the city. All this take 315 days. Arthur Morrison, tho author of " Martin Hewitt, Investigator," and "Tales of Mean Streets," was two years ago one o£ the mesb prominent racing men in England. Morrison rode as an amateur, and he was one of the | principal writers in "Wheel Life." Besides being a strong man, Sandow is a clever specialist in all things concerning the muscles. Scoreit of sufferers from strains and falls consult him every week. Ia addition to this, he is a very practical cyclist, and has jußb invented a valve for pneumatic tyres which, it is anticipated, will do great things. Ib is entirely formed of rubber, being in reality » I rubber tube flattened and vulcanised into a twist. This twist closes the aperture in tho tube unless air in forced through it by means of the pump. The tyre being full, the tubevalve closes whsn the pump ceases to work, and the pressure of air in the tyre aids the twist in thoroughly sealing up the tube. Sandow has been riding wheplsßo fitted for over half a year, and announces that the little appliance works perfectly. It is entirely devoid of complications, can be produced very cheaply, and is about to be pub on the market by an important firm. Sandow is a strong believer in the value of cycling, especially as a lung expander. There seems (says a Home writer) ft probability of a tremendous boom in the sale of cycles for children this season. Cycling amongst children, when not carried to ezceis, is undoubtedly a good thing; but one must | exercise the greatest care in judging the child's capacity for cycling befora purchasing a j machine. Boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 15 are passing through a most critical period of their life, and many of them have hardly quite developed thoir strength or powers, thus any unusual or excessive exertion is frequently injurious ; but all parents who are assur^O of the power of their children to stand the strain of cycling should buy them machine?, for there is no more entertaining or pleasurable exercise likely to be loved by children so much as cycling. The dangers of the night rider encompass him round about, and he has ever to be on the alert for emergencies. Mayhap it is this element of possible contingencies which gives to night-riding its t&scin&ting charm. We haye been told that this constant piercing of the shades tends to strengthen the cyclists' eyesight, and also that his bearing is much quickened. Few cyclists, however, are aware that they can hear much better with their mouths open. It is a fact well known to

' physiological students, who hold that it is primarily due to the Eust&ohian tubes being in free communication with tha atmosphere through which the waves of sound are propelled. Thia gives a freer and more equable vibration to the tympanum or drum of the ear on which the waves impinge. This is a tip well worth remembering when the nights are dark and the vicinity of lumbering carts uncertain. ' To meet a motor-car in a narrow country lane when it is going at about 20 and you are doing 15 down a hill is not exactly an enjoyable experience, and I am inclined (says n writer iv Bicycling News) to think that it ia nearly time the paoe of those beauties was decreased. If not, we shall have a bad smash-up some day, especially if the steerer yaws all over the plac», as did the one we met on Saturday. It slewed and wriggled about, a»d fairly frightened some ladies out of the saddle, for there was only about a yard and a-half between the car of juggernaut and a deep ditch, and it looked more than probable that there was going to bo *, bad accident. It is all very well for the drivers and passengers to sit and grin at cyclists as they whiz by ; that* easy enough when you are in safety ; but they might have some consideration for those who have to take all the punishment if any is donated. Anyhow, these motor-cars, if we don't mind, are going to be the, biggest nuisance cyolists ever had, and it is more than possible that w« shall rue the day when they came into vogue. At present they are ugly,' blatant, and dangerous, and a terror to wheelmen. Let us hope the time ii not far distant when elegaat, odourlesi, and ably-driven horseless carriages will abound in place of moit of the abominations whioh are .now pounding around. L Ifc will not infrequently be found that a chain becomes alternately tight and slack as it runs round'the sprocket wheels. If the alternation takes place with each revolution of the pedals, and if there is no dirt on the periphery of the front sprocket wheel, very probably tho crank axle is not fix«d centrally »n the sprocket, in which case a competent, rspairer may per- | h&vs pub matters right. But there is no need i to trouble* about ifc unless the defect is coaeidev- | able. On the other hand, if the alternation is observed to have some relation to the position ! of the chain, but not of the pedals, and recurs' | either with each complete revolution of the '' chain or with each half revolution, the cause probably depends partly oq whether the ohain js new or not. If it is new thero may be a stiff link which doas not properly straighten out after leaving tho chain wheel, but ifc will most likely work looser. If the chain is nob new il may simply need cleaning and lubricating ; but ifc is also possible that the ohain may be a poosone which has stretched more in one place thaa in another. A now chain will then be the proper remedy. Whenadju«ting a ohain which j tightens and slackens, adjust it while at its tightest, and in this position leave but the least I possible slack. i Probably more cyclists pass through Kiugsfbn-on-Thames on a bank holiday than any other place in England — or the world (America, of course, barrad). L&Bt Easter ii was computed ' that nearly 30,000 cyclists rode through the High street. A New Jersey doctor, who was arrested ■ for scorching along the road at night with an uulightsd lamp on his wheel, informed the ' magistrate before whom he was summoned that he was hurrying to attend * patient stricken • with heart disease ; aud ha thought, under the circumstances, that saving a life was of more importance than lighting a Jtimp. The magistrate took the game view of the case, aad discharged the accused. j lv the receut motor - carnage race j between Mar*eille9 and " Monbe Carlo the I winning motor-cycle covered the 233 kilometres I (about 145 inilea) in 9hr smin 31sec, an average iof about 16 miles aa hour. The winning ! jnoroi-cairiago made tho same di«tanc« in 7hr 45min 9sec, an p.vecaaeof 18"5-7 miWs an hour. i When a dog barks and aaaps at a passing ' cyclist it is far hetter to whistle and speak I kindly to the animal than to speak harshly or I strike at him. The former method will 1 generally quiet, the latter further excite, him. The group which crowded round the i gates of Hyde Park to greet the Queen on nor , recent arrival at London s>ayH much for the i loyalty of wheelwomen. The day was fine, and the gay colours aud spring floweri, together with the flying of handkerchiefs, was a sight extremely cheering, all the move so because the congregation was for the most part of welldressed women. Her Majesty appeared well pleised at thir tribute of honour, and bowed smilingly on all sides. ' Cycle row presented a very gay appearance th&t morning, and it is doubtful whether «o many wheolwomen have before resorted there at one time since the road became a public ridißg ground.