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Otago Witness, Issue 2408, 26 April 1900, Page 45

CYCLING NOTES.

BY DEMON.

l~l ~ - ■ ' The editor of the New Zealand "Wheelman is making an appeal to cycling clubs and cyclists generally for funds to defray the cost of sending a team of three cyclists to represent New Zealand in the World's Cycling Championship and other contests to be held at Paris on August 12, 16, and 19. The team is to consist of Messrs George Sutherland (Christchurch), E. Reynolds (Auckland), and J. Chalmers (Wellington), or W. Tierney (Auckland). These men are admittedly the best all-round riders in New Zealand at the present day, and would do credit to our colony if sent away as our representatives. It is reckoned that the cost of sending this .team would be something like £450; and of this sum the League of New Zealand Wheelmen provide £150 for their already picked representative, George Sutherland. -The cycling population of New Zealand is based at 40,000, and an average of 3d each would secure £500, ample for the purpose suggested. There are 60 clubs now in the League of New Zealand Wheelmen, and an average of £7 10s from each would realise the amount required j or, again, there are nine centres, and £50 from each would meet the desired end. The Wheelman makes an at \il to cyclists, clubs, and club centres, and comes forward with an offer to do all the printing and advertising that is required free of charge, and ask? that prompt action be taken. The editor, in his appeal to the clubs in a special circular, states the following: — "In issuing this circular it must be understood that I do not arrogate to myself what proper ly belongs to the League Council. ' nor do I wish to interfere in any way with the machinery by which the League is governed. My only object is to-Mnfuse a little enthusiasm into a worthy object, which otherwise might be allowed to lapse. Subsequent action, such os remittances., correspondence, etc., must be done through the proper channel provided for by the rules of the League." I have been asked to mention the_ appeal in my notes of this week, and willingly do so. The object is a worthy one, and has my entire sympathy. I' shall be glad to know that action has been taken, and that funds for the movement are coming in freely.

Since Reynolds's fine showing in the test matches there has been a strong feeling in Christclvurch that both he and Sutherland should be sent to Paris to represent the colony in the world's championship?, and at the League Council's meeting on Monday night the idea was given effect to in "the following resolution, which was carried unanimously : — "That irl addition to Sutherland, if sufficient funds are available, E. Reynolds shall be sent ds second representative to Paris, and in the event of the balance being large enough' a third also be sent." The last clause was included to meet the wishes of those who would like to see the colony represented in the International Teams Race, of three a-side. The names of J. Chalmers and W. Tierney were mentioned as tiie possible third man, but it is not considered probable that the funds will warrant the sending of more than two. The expenses to be allowed representatives will be SOT each, and they will leave at the end of Mriy or cnoly in June. £77 is already in hand. Jteyuolds's sportsmanlike action in saving a deadlock over the test matches by agreeing to ride behind s single pacer, after having made all hio arrangements to ride behind multicycles, camo in for very strong commendation.

The 100 Miles Trad- Relay Competition introduced by the Dunlor> Tyre Company was brought to r close on Saturday, Murch 31. Tiio contest wo a rcslrictc. 1 , to cycling eiufca' teams oJE JLQ riders, each of whom had

to carry a dispatch 10 miles and then hand it over to the next rider, and ?o on until 100 miles had been covered. A time limit of 4-hr 15min was fixed, the successful team having to ride the century under this time, otherwise they would not be entitled to the 10 £5 5s gold medals donated by the Dunlop Company. The two fastest time tests established were, those of the Australian Club (Sydney) and the Goiilburn Club (N.S.W.), these cluß teams having- put up very, fins performances in riding the 100 miles in a fraction over four hours. The Australian Club's time was 4-hr lmin 50 l-ssec, the riders' intermediate times being as follows": — J. Megson, dOsec; R. Mutton," 22min 52sec;D." Harrison; 23min 20 3-ssec; H. S. Tucker, 23min 25sec ; J. Cliff e, 24min 17sec ; O. Hanson, 24-min \s2sec ; J. Crowell, 24min. 40 l-ssec; R. E. Adrian, 24-min 4-2 3-ssee; P. d'Alissoft, 25min 52 2-ssec-; A. E. O'Brien, 25min'58 2^ssec; total time (100 miles), 4hr lmin 50 l-ssec. The Goulburn Club's time was only lmin 13^ec slower-— 4 hr 3min 37 2-ssec — a rattling good ride considering the track and lack of pacers. The latter club has entered a protest against the Australian Club's team, based on a reporb that J. Cliffe was not a bona fide member of the club, according to the rules of the competition. This matter is now receiving the a!tention of the Dunlop Company.

— . — The authorities in Paris have decided to make an experiment with police mounted on. cycles. The trial will be made in the .16th Arrondissement (Passy), which, being large, requires a big company of men to patrol. Each quarter, where "rounds" are big, will, if all turns out satisfactory, have a corps of 12 men operating day and night in twos or threes — never alone. The bikes will be those of the policemen themselves, who will be .allowed from £2 10s to £4- yearly for repairs, etc. In the shape of costume they will not differ from the others except a special method of fixing- the trousers to the knee when riding. During the day their swords will be vertically attached to the handle .bar, whilst at night they will be armed with revolvers.

'They are great on advertising in America. A company' which' constructs electric railway lines, solicits the co-operation of dealers andbicyele riders in securing contracts, offering a build alongside • all" lines, without, extra charge,, suitable bicycle tracks. The Ibicycle vote' it a. pretty heavy item in the States.

The Eight, Hours- Anniversary "Wheel Race at Melbourne resulted as follows : — Lewes 1, M'Donald 2, Hudson 3. Time, 4-min 16sec.