ILI-TREATING A CHILD. INVERCARGILL, October 28.

Otago Witness, Issue 2331, 3 November 1898, Page 40

ILI-TREATING A CHILD. INVERCARGILL, October 28.

"A woman named Rose Morgan, a resident of North Invercargill, was sentenced to-day to seven days' imprisonment for ill-treating Amelia Hubert, an orphan girl of 12 years whom she had adopted. The child had been beaten and kept short of food, her schoolmaster and teacher having fed her at school. Counsel asked that a fine might be inflicted instead of imprisonment, but Mr Poynton, S.M., said that Avould be to punish the husband who had been kind to the child, which would not again, be ativen into the woman's «UBto&7«

their object the bringing out of new riders, who do not care to face a large crowd of spectators, and it is understood that they are to be held at intervals through the season. The race last night was over a two-mile course, ; and was run in very fair time for novices j (smin 4-2 2-ssec). Pirie (210 yds) was leading lin the seventh lap ; he was passed early in I the final, but managed to beat his opponent | in the straight by a few lengths. The follow- [ ing are the results : — Pirie, 210 yds, 1 ; Bray, } 95yds, 2; Bell, 170 yds, 3. Almost all the ! other starters were well up. The Lawrence Cycling Club opened I the season last Wednesday by a run to Wai- ; tahuna. There were about 30 members, in1 eluding a number of ladies, present. During the recent trip of the New Zealand Natives' Association from Christchurch to Kaiapoi some two dozen members went by drag, but these were outnumbered by 3 to 1 by the cyclists who rode out. A cyclist scorching to a fire in Christchurch recently probably had as narrow an escape from death as may be. He was (says the Press) riding by the side of one of the fire engines, when another engine came up rapidly behind him, going at a very much faster pace than the first online, and with the intention of passing it the fireman yelled to him to get out of the way, and when the horses were almost on him it dawned upon him that he was in danger, and he began to spurt. For a hundred yards ho went his hardest without being able to get clear until a cross street enabled him to shoot out of harm's 'way. He made about record time for that hundred yards. A London cable states that a machine invented by Mr A. L. Baird (of Sydney) for automatically judging cycle races was successfully tested at London, and the press publish eulogistic notices of the machine. The Dunedin Cycling Club held their fortnightly run on Saturday, about 20 members of the club going out as far as Outram under the command of Mr W. B. Bell (in the absence of Captain Crow). The party met with very favourable weather on the road out, only encountering a shower of rain. On their arrival at Outram they were supplied with tea by Host Anderson. They then commenced ■ the return journey to town, which was reached bx about b.alf-D.ast k after an, giwaj? Js run*

notAvithstanding that the party had to contend against a head Avind on the way home. The annual general meeting of the Riverton Cycling Club Avas held on the 24th ult. Tho balance sheet showed a small deficit owing to t!;e unsatisfactory Aveather for tho sports during last cycling reason, but the enthusiasm displayed by members present augurs Avell for the success of the coming season. The following office-bearers AverG elected for the enduing year: — President, Mr V. R. HackAvorth ; vice-presidents, Dr Trotter, Rev. R. M'Culley, Messrs E. Ward, A. X Willett, and James Hancock; Captain, Mr Wbiloford; deputy-captain, Mr John M'lntyrc; secretary and treasurer, Mr D. M'Kenzie; bugler, Mr A. E. Traill; committee— Mrs Callaghan, Messrs H. E. Philp, A. Sangster, and H. H. Twemlow. The first prosecution for scorching came before the Stipendiary Magistrate at Timaru ou tho 21st ult., when a youth Avas charged and pleaded guilty to> a clurge of "furious riding" in Stafford street at dusk on Wednesday. Constable Bird stated that he ,saw the offence committed and heard people complain of it; the defendant Avas going at about 16 miles an hoiir. He spoko to the offender, who excused himself by saying that he Avas on a high-geared machine—S4—and did not knoAV that ho Avas going so fa?t. Defendant said he did not know that he Avas exceeding the regulation pace. His Worship said he must have known, as he knew what sort of a machine he had, and it Avas he avlio urged it along. Scorching could not be allowed in the streets, but as this was the first prosecution, and Sergeant Eraser said if was not a common offence (he had a different impression himself), he would impose a light fino on this occasion of 2s 6d Avithout costs; but if the offenco Avas not checked heavier fines Avould bo imposed. The Geraldine Cycling Club have resolved to sever their connection with tho Alliance and join the ranks of the League of NeAV Zealand Wheelmen. It is anticipated that betAveen Victoria, Ncav South Wales, and South Australia .something near £15,000 -will be distributed this season in prize money. Last season £10,193 Is 8d Avas given in cash prizes in. cycling events between the three cnlonies. Victoria . . . •• • £61F5 L'J 0 South Australia . . . • £212 10 G New South Wales .. £1607 V 0 2 Total . . X 10193 1 8 Out of this grand total £7985 15s 8d Avas given for handicap events, and the balanco £2207 6s for scratch races. In Victoria alone £1544 Avas given for scratch eA'ents which almost reaches the total sum given by New South Wales. The entry for the Austral Wheel Race is expected to bo a record one. Since 1886 the Melbourne Bicycle Club have run 20 race meetings on the Melbourne Cricket ground, and one on the St. Kilda Cricket ground. The total prize money distributed since the race Avas founded amounts to a total of £8263 for 219 events, and without taking into consideration the entries for the year, 6970 entries have b?en received. The cost of running tho meetings amounted to OA'er £16,800. For many years the club Lad A r ery bad luck oA"er race meetings, at time? it lost heavily, but since 1892 it has gradually gained success, and it has now a bank balanco of over £4000, in addition to which it possesses one of the b%t-a^pointecl club rooms in Australasia. Its membership totals over 300. The last Austral meeting occupied tAvo days and it attracted 50,000, and profit over the meeting Avas £1255 16s Bd. This year the meeting Avill be extended over three days as the entry for the big cA r ent is expected to be too large to be run in two days. • The firat prize for the Austral Wheel Race is £24-0, and it is interesting to learn that this will be increased to £340 should the winner be fortunate enough to ride a " Swift." In one of my pedals for some little time there has been a bit of a clicking, and one day AA r hen out with a friend, Avhen indulging in a short rest, I borroAved (says "Lancelot," in Bicycling Noavs) a big screAvdriver fiom a carpenter working hard by, and a pair of pincers, and took the thing off and examined it. There was a ball broken, that Avas all, so I took it out and replaced the others. The difference that this made to the running of the machine can hardly be credited. Hitherto on the up grades I had been able to run clean away from my friend, who Avas riding this machine, but now he pressed me hard, and it was as much as I could do to live Avith him. There really seemed Aery little the matter Avith tho pedal except a "catch" occasionally, but the incident shows me only too plainly the poAver that is wasted provided tho pedals do not run freely. There is no part of a bicycle which receives less attention from riders, and from my experience there is none, not even the chain, which requires more. My usual plan is to fill the dust cap half full of viscoleum, and then screw the head of the pedal into it, at the same time protecting the end nearest the crank with either a felt Avasher or a hank or two of Avorsted that has been soaked in grease. By this means not only is the pedal kept Avell lubricated, but the Avet and dust are kept out. A pedal so treated Avill require little attention for 1000 miles, but at the same time it is ahvays advisable to see that they rim freely. Unluckily I had not treated the pedal which went Avrong in the manner I advise, owing to the dust cap being fitted Avith a milled edge instead of a " square," and as it Avas screAved on very tightly, and I hadn't a tool in tho

Tho bicycle tug-of-war is a new sport which is finding its way into up-to-date cycling gymkhanas. There were only three papers which catered for eyeb'fts 20 years ago. Now the number is well up into three figures. The characteristic Englishman has already permeated Wei-Hai-Wei, and established both a cycling and a cricket club. A capital plan if you are caught in the rain without any mud-guards is to procure fome cardboard and cut it as near the shape of ordiuory leather guards as possible. Make holes through it and fasten to tho frame of your machine with string in the usual way. This device answers admirably. To prevent a bruise becoming discoloured, apply immediately water as hot as can be borne comfortably, changing the cloth as soon as it loses its heat. If hot Avater is not to be had at onca, moisten some dry starch with cold water and apply. Many riders, after patching a puncture, totally forget the outer cover. This should be well cleaned at the point where the obstacle lias entered, and a bit of canvas backing solutibned inside a piece of cotton wool thoroughly soaked in solution injected into the hole When the master of the house came in 3)6 bore signs of having recently passed through a crisis. His clothes were torn and bespattered with mud. There was a contusion over his left eye. l< Whore have you been? " inquired his wife. " Making a few investigations," he replied, curtly. "In what?" "Bicycling." "You seem to have found them interesting! " " Well, there's one thing I will say," he made answer; "I was thorough. There . was .no question but that f covered the ground. " Cycling gymkhanas are very popular in England at tho present time. The programmes comprise a great variety of events, in which Indies or gentlemen may take part. One of the latest novelties Avas a hat trimming event, the competitors being required to ride to a point, trim a ladj's hat, and after placing it on the head, return to the post. A gentleman Avon this event, lie threaded his needle like an artist, sewed a little bunch of violets on one side, looped up the rim gracefully Avith a few pink roses, attached a pair of black velvet strings, which he fastened under the chin, and raced home, amidst a storm of applause. In the Gretna Green race ladies oncl gentlemen start in pairs, ride to a table, write their names in full, and ride back, hand in band. Tn the tortoise race, the last in Avins. Then there are musical rides, side-saddle races, egg-and-spoon races, tilting at the ring, providing A r ariety in plenty, and causing in some cases considerable skill to be exhibited. It is fairly common knoAvledge now how to join up the ends of an air tube by turning them back in a certain manner over a pump or similar article. A stiff roll of paper or a flat piece of wood have been used successfully before noAV. It is a simple process enough, but there are some people who can make mistakes over anything connected Avith a cycle. One of these effected a beautiful join in his tube the other day, and then discovered that OAving to an oversight in his arrangements the pump Avas inside the tube ! His chagrin resembled that of the violin maker who finished off a fine instrument and found that the glue-pot Avas left in the interior. Should a leak arise in the join of an inner tube, it is best to take the ends apart by the application of a little benzine or benzoline, and thoroughly clean before rejoining. This will make a good job of it at the outset and saA r e trouble in the end. Cyclists should Avear shoes Avith soles of average thickness. Thin soled shoes cause numbness of the feet, and should not be worn, especially on long rides. The following is given as a simple and soothing balm for the woman whose complexion is in a fair way to be ruined by the hot air, sunshine, and heat of her August cycling. It should bo sponged over the skin before going out to ride, and Avill resist the dreadful burning and peeling which so successfully disfigure the prettiest girl that ever sat upon a bicycle saddle. Take simple tincture of benzoin, 1{ drachm; pure glycerine, 1 drachms ; eau de Cologne, 4- drachms ; rose water, to make up Boz. Shake Avell before using. When ladies go for a day's tour on a bicycle a trouble arises as to how they shall provide themselves Avith some- change in dress when they take lunch or dinner at the hotel table. An English exchange points out that a thoughtful girl may work wonders, and yet seem to carry nothing extra with her. The paper tells of one cycliste avlio went out dressed in a costume of grey cloth rather the colour of dust, made with a short coat and basque, the coat buttoning up to the neck, and finished by a collar and tie. When she came doAvn to lunch she surprised her friends by her change of costume, for the fronts Avere turned well back, and the Avaist encircled by a silver belt, and a soft, folded front of silk Avas finished at the neck by a dainty piece of old lace. It was a simple change, but nevertheless effective, after a dusty rido on a warm day. When Mr M., from a large town in Ireland, visited the Australian colonies he brought Avith him six Dunlop-tyre cycles, first pattern made; also the patent right for all Australia for which latter lie had paid £20. Prior to his return he sold this right to a Mr R., another friend, then an assistant in a hardware store near Melbourne, for £22 10s. Mr R. gave up his situation and started a email cycle shop in Elizabeth street. Since then the latter has, according to a prospectus which recently appeared sold his right, which cost £2g 10ft» to, & Jjuoited fioaujatiy. {ox £40 QQO.

When M. heard about this he merely c* claimed, " Good man ! " — Answers Always carry a yard or two of stout tape as part of your tyre repair outfit, it is better to leave out the piece of cam r as foe patching gashed covers than to omit the tap •>. In the case of a bad cut which necessitates a repair to the cover put" on the patch of canv;is if you have one and are not in a hurry.But in any case bind the coA'or and rim round with tape, slightly inflating the inner tube first so as to get the proper "set" of the wrappings, and then you can pump up hard at once without waiting for the solution of the canvas patch, if you have affixed one, to dry. The tape should be fastened at each end to a spoke, and should be so put on the driving wheel that the thrust of driving will not find an exposed edge to pick up. A piece of stout tapo properly applied will Avear a long time. Tho late Mr Hubert Howard, the Avar correspondent who Avas killed in the attack on Oindurman, and Avho Avas a son of the Earl of Carlisle, Avas fond (says the Westminster Gazette) of doing daring things. Before the " boom," cycling Avas quite unfashionable in Oxford, but he Avas a cyclist Avhen cycling Avas taboo to the ordinary undergraduate. In the inner quad at Balliol is a broad flight of some 20 stone steps leading doAvn from the entrance to the hall to a flagged pavement below. Mr Howard brought his bicycle into college, took it to the top of tho steps, mounted, and rode down them. The front forks collapsed at the bottom of the flight, and the bicycle lay about in several pieces. The Avheelman, except for a few bad bruises, Avas all right. If your feet become blistered AA'hile touring, and the blisters get broken through riding with unsuitable shoes, remember that it is a good plan to Avell soak the stocking at the place which touches the blister, Avhen the pain Avill be greatly alleviated. Their inability to stretch Avith the inflation of the inner tube precludes the use of bucked patches in repairing large gashes, and thin sheet rubber must bo employed. The latter has, however, a very annoying habit pf curling up just Avhen the solution begins to get " tacky." The difficulty can be easily overcome by smcarirg the merest trace of solution on the palm of the hand, and sticking tho patch to it. Solution can then be worked on the rubber in the ordinary Avay, and left till in a proper condition for application. The hand is then gently pressed on the tube, and the patch smoothed down. In this Avay a pieco of rubber that covers the hand from the Avrist to tho finger tips can be negotiated Avithout trouble. A little gentle rubbing soon removes any trace of solution that may adhere to the palm. Don't ride a machine when the cranks have become loose. When this happens it is better to haA-e a new key fitted, or to'haA'e the old one properly tightened. If you drop a feAV scraps of load or some shot in the can where you keep your stock of oiJ, the oil will never become thick or gummy. If you have the misfortune to seriously bend a pedal, don't try to rido Avith it in its damaged state. You Avill further injure the pedal, and you may strain the muscles of your feet or legs. The plan to adopt is to ramove the body of the pedal, and ride with the ppdal pin under the instep. A good deal of power can be exerted in this Avay, Avithout fear of harming either the pedal or yourself. Never hammer the cotter pins of your cranks unless you have the crank boss supported at the opposite side by some heavy object to absorb the shock of the blows. • Unless you do this, you may fracture the bearing cups and cones of the bracket. AUCKLAND CYCLING SPORTS. AUCKLAND, October 30. The Auckland Cycling Club's dports on Saturday Avere attended by 5000 persons. As the Exhibition track was soft fast times were out of the question. The results of the principal events Avere : — Half-Miie Dash.— W. Aulsebrook, 55yds, 1; O'Sullivan, 70yds, 2; Wall, 14yds, 3. Time, lmin 12 2-sscc. Auckland "Wheel Race, of oOsovs. Two miles. —Wilkinson (Auckland), 300 yds, 1; Barker (Christchurch), 20yds, 2; Ralston (Dunedm), 40yds, S. Time, smin 26 2-ssec. Quarter-Milo Flutter.— Or. C. Parker, 42yds, 1; A. C. Middleton, scr, 2; C. Drury, 33yds, 3. One-Mile Second-Clasa Kace.— J. B. O'Sullivan, 1; W. J. li-Avin, 2; W. Marshall, 3. One-Mile First-Class Handicap. — A. Ralston, 25yds, 1; G-. Hyamson, €syds, 2; E. A. Wall, 30yds, 3. Sutherland could not get through the field. Time, 2min 35sec. Three-Mile Second-Class Handicap.—O'Sullivan, 90yds, 1; Aulesbrook, 20yds, 2; F. W. Boyds, 70yds, 3. Interprovincial Scratch Race. One mile. — A. Ralston, 1; G-. Sutherland, 2; A. C. Middleton, 3. Ralston and Sutherland passed Maxwell in the straight. Time, 2inin 50sec. An exhibition half-mile Avas given by E. Rey nolds in lniin llsec.

A WARNING TO CYCLISTS. TO THE EDITOE.

g IE) — The Taieri Advocate of Saturday last says: " We are informed that proceedings are to be taken in the local court next week, at the instance of the Railway department, against the persons who were so nearly the victims of accidents at the railway crossing lately." This is a matter which concerns Dunedin cyclists; in fact, it is said that a, well-known Dunedin rider is amongst those who are to appear before the magistrate. The Mosgiel railway station has been removed to a distance of a quarter of a mile further on, and trains which m> till a month or so ago used to pass the crossing at the road entering into Mosgiel " dead slow," now maintain a high speed owing to the station being some distance away. Coming down Saddle Hill cyclists generally have good way on, and it is a most natural thing for them to reach and pass over the crossing at a fair pace. The stone quarry and hill at the corner of the road before entering Mosgiel obscure the sight and deaden the sound of an approaching train; and which perhaps whistles too late to bo of warning to the cyclist, and it is not the fear of the Magistrate's Court as much as that of a most serious accident that should cause cyclists to be careful at the point I have spoken of. lam informed by a gentleman on whose word I can place implicit reliance that he has, along with otlier people, witnessed several hairbreadth escapes all within the past month, and he asks mo to give Dunedin riders warning of the danger they run by approaching the crossing at a fast pace. The railway traffic on the 9th of Norember (the occasion of the Taieri races) is almost certain to be heavy, and on that day cyclist 9 in large numbers are bound to rida as far as the Taieri. This is the first holiday since the Mosgiel railway station has been shifted, and as; there is no signalman or crossing keeper at tho Mosgiel crossing, as in Dunedin, cyclists aro warned that they should keep a sharp look out for approaching trains, and take the crossing at an easy pace.— l am, etc., Demon.

THE MILE RECORD.

T,h« Cycle Age of Chicago thus rQnorfca..PQ*

Bvent where Edouard Taylore broke the mile fcecord by a second at Philadelphia:— '■ The conditions were perfect, and the knowing ones predicted that a new mark would be created, but none of them were foolish enough to intimate that 'a whole second would be knocked ott 'the record. So that when the announcement was made that the Frenchman had ■lowered the world's record for the mile 2 2-ssec the scene that followed may better be omagincd than described. It was simply Bedilam let loose, and the uproar continued for several minutes. f, Taylore came on the track at about 10 'o'clock, and after a few laps for warming-up jpurpo^es, Le gave the word "Next time," and Ewav lie went, the Orooks's and Buffalo quints ■travelling tandem, leading the way, and gathering speed with each revolution, they Bailed round the upper turn and down the back stretch like a thunderbolt getting up steam. High up on the lower bank they swung, following close the outer rail, down the incline and on to the home stretch, every Wusele and nerve of the straining crews stretched to the utmost tension. Hugging the jpole as if it were the dearest thing in the ■world, they flashed by the tape. Starter Borland's pistol ringing out true as Taylore's front rim touched the paint-mark. r "They're off!" Through every megaphone on the grounds — and there were three of them— were hurled 'encouraging shouts, and this, reinforced by )the vocal efforts of the occupants of pavilion iand bleachers, roused the denizens of Montgomery county for miles about from their Jmte-Sabbath slumbers. Coming up the fetretch for the first lap (one-third mile), 'many of the unofficial watch-holdor3 frho were keeping tab on the performance were shouting: "They're doing it under 30sec!" But they were mistaken, frhe officials ga-ve it: 30 2-s'see. On, on, and Still on, the Buffalo quint relieving Orooks's teroes, the latter dropping out on the first burn of the second lap. The Bisons did their third, a little slower, the announced time for the two-thirds being lmin 3-ssec — 31 l-ssee for the second lap. By this time the FulfordjWheelock quint was speeding along in front, and amid an excess of shouting they made a Splendid pick-up, Taylore swinging from one fto another with an easy and graceful motion. She English crew did their third in 31sec fiat — jfilightly better than their predecessors, but not ;bo well as the Crooksites had done. I; As the Britishers and the Frenchman rushed Sown the stretch everybody on the track — joffioials, policemen, and even such old stagers us Schafer and Tom Eck— was swinging his fiat and shouting. In an instant the tape jvas crossed, and then came a momentary Hull while the clockers were comparing the Jesuits. Then Announcer Le Calo rushed to jthe "meg" and got out ' Time for the mile, flmin 32 3-ssec." What else he said just then mo one knows, or ever will. As the story books have it, " the scene beggared description." Each man. woman, and child in the acted just as he, she, or 'it would have acted had the greatest of imaginable blessings come suddenly to him, her, or it. But as joy seldom kills, everybody recovered Jrom the excitement eventually and settled .down for the event of the evening, which also had something in store. The fractional times as officially announced were : v ' I Quarter mile, 22 4-ssec ; one-third, 30 2-ssec ; mile, 45 l-ssec ; two-thirds, lmin 1 3-ssec ; [three-quarters, lmin lOsec; one mile, lmin fi>, 3-ssec. I The previous best was Platt-Betts's lmin r>ssec.