CYCLING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2454, 27 March 1901, Page 49

CYCLING.

1 'notice that the child-carrying nuisance is still in existence, and begin to think now that no matter what is said about the danger that the child runs all the time the bicjele is in motion, there are some who

cannot see reason, and will continue the practice despite all warnings. There will be *n accident some day, and then the matter will be brought forcibly home to those who persist in running childre- into a danger wherein no pleasure exists. <

— -.—. — The enorts of two "sundowners" to extract a coin from the various cyclists who stopped at Henley last Sunday were persistent, and in most cases successful. No sooner had a party landed than these two men made over, and, pitching a tale of being "hard-up blokes" and on the road looking for work, wound up with an appeal for a. small donation towards providing them with a bit of tobacco. Those who yielded to the persuasive eloquence of these two worthies were amused in watching the arrival of other cyclists, and the subsequent attempts at coinextraction made on them by the "travellers." No sooner had a rider got off his bilne than along came the pair, and the success or nonsuccees of their efforts was keenly watched by previous victims. From a count after I should imagine that their day's work was to them a highly satisfactory one. The warning sign post erected by the New Zealand Touring Club near Hangman's Gully, on the Upper Junction Hill, seems to me to be placed in a wrong position. It is too near the dangerous bend of the road to enable riders to dismount with comfort, especially if one hag a good pace or. I would suggest that the post be taken farther up the hill, say to the iron gate at Christie's place. If it were placed at this spot ample warning would be given, and there would be plenty of time to jump off before descending the steep grade in front of the turn at Hangman's Gully.

A meeting of oyclisi was held in the Borough Council Chambers, Port Chalmers, no Tuesday, 19th inst., for the purpose cf forming a club and making a track. Mr J. Craig occupied the chair, and explained the objects of the meeting at some length. He moved — "That a cycling club, to "be called the Port Chalmers, be formed." This was carried unanimously. A general eopimittee, consisting of Messrs Craig. M'Ewen. Geddes, Warren, and Tray, was elected. Mr A. 111\trarity was appointed secretary ar>d Mr A. Warren treasurer. The president is Mr PI G. Alien, M.H.R.. and the ■nee-presidents Messrs J. Mill and D. A. De Mau=. The committee W3ro requested io draw tip rule?, etc., for considerition at next meeting.

. A Christchuroh telegram states that Mr F. D. Ke«tteven. secretary of the League of New Zealand Wheelmen, has received a cablegram from Sydney stating that the New South Wales Cyclists' Union is sending over its two crack riders, E. P. Kers'raw and W. Turnbull. to compete in the league's amateur championships at Lancaster Park on Good Friday and the following Saturday. At the recent meetings in Sydney these two riders have been yeiy successful. Kershaw gaining fir3l place in the three-mile inter-club team race at the Commonwealth celebrations meshner.

The Melbourne Bicycle Club has now a credit balance of near £7000. The net profit of the 1900 Austral Wheel Race meeting was £1214 Is 7d.

J- Platt-Betls. the famous English short-distance record breaker, is apparently as keen on cycle racing and record-breaking as ever and, despite the bad outlook of professionalism at Home, he has ordered a new motor tandem. Ab soon as the little Catiordiangets into good Bhape, he will (says tne Lycnst) go over to Paris prepared to meet all-comers from one mile to one hour: in fact, he is paying more attention this season to his staying powers, as he does not fird enough scope for short-distance work, and in France the bulk of the prize money is put up for middle-distance contests. If Betts shows anything like his true form, he will in all probability be matched against Ma tor Taylor over three distances — viz., one mile paced, one mile unpaced, and one mile pursuit race.

There ore in London at the present time no less than 2800 small makers, repairer^, and KSsembleiSj as against 760 only a few years

ago. This large increase ie said to be a result of the unwillingness of the average British cycle manufacturer to cater for the individual requirements of customers. One of the newest of "accessories" to the cycle, either for the tourist or the military cycler, is a collapsible camp stool, which may bo snugly folded and carried on. the machine, and sa3'g one critic, "it looks a good thing" — a good seat, perhaps, but nothing more. The Elswiok Cycle Company have put on the market a novelty in the way of hubs. From a glance at the illustration, it is seen that the spindle is in sections, the adjusting end screwing into the other portion. All that is needed to take up any play that may manifest itself is to give that end a turn, with the spanner, after loosening the spindle nut, then re-tighten the nut. This appears to be very simple and easy of acoomplisihment. The lubrication takes place at the end of the spindle, which contains cotton wool, and is performated with small holes, through which it finds its way to the bearings, the hollow portion of the spindle forming, in reality, a feeding reservoir.

The total cycle exportations for the year 1900 from the United States have recently been made public, and a diminution of £351,845 is shown from the previous year. Tho figures for the last three years are as follows : 1898, £1,184,439; 1399, £863,057; 1900 £612,212. ' At one of the recent cycle shows in the Old World, the mongrel and -meaningless term of "automotourerte"' was sprung upon the patrons. It was intended to be synonymous with "motor tricycle." The Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Company, England, in its 10 years' existence, has earned in profits upwards of two and threequarter millions sterling. Id a recent attempt to establish a 24hours' road record on a De Dion motor car of 3£ horse-power, over the Western District roads, Melbourne, Messrs H. B. James and J. W. Proctor had a narrow escape from serious accident. After doing 149 miles in 82 hours in a deluge of rain the steersman cf the motor in the dark took the wrong road, and ran the motor full tilt into a stout post of a fence guarding a huge excavation, with such force as to demolish the obstruction ai.d tho car. The front of the vehicle was crushed, and a dive into what was unknown depths decisively stopped, with no Vorse consequences than a shock to those on board. The distance covered at this time was 153 miles, an:l the time of 8 hours 55min (including 35 minutes for stoppages) is good. Under better circumstances it is anticipated that 425 miles could be covered in the 24 hour?.

A claim for percentage on wins on a bic} r cle which has created considerable interest in racing and trade circles was dealt with in Melbourne recently. W. Martin sued A. H. Gaudin, cycle manufacturer, of Bourke street, builder of the Martin bicycle, for £97 15s 3d, balance due to him on an agreement expiring, May 31 next. Martin's percentage was 32£ per cent, on his wins, and he netted £448 108, which he considered entitled him to £145 15s 3d. Out of this he received £48, and the defendant declined -to pay any more, as the greater portion of Martin's successes were secured in Sydney., A lengthy argument between counsel followed, and his Honor was of the opinion that as the majority of races were won in New South Wales, the cause of action did not arise in Vie^oria., and accordingly struck the case out. The Stanley B.C. (England) has donated £100 to the Victoria Cottage Ho^pual, to mark their appreciation of the kindness shown to one of their late lamented members.

The question as to the legal strength of an official programme is to come before the New South Wales Racing Board. When Tipper went to his mark in a mile handicap iiT ths Tecent Sydney carnival he was told that the 510 yds allotted to him in the programme was a mistake, and that 210 was his proper mark. Tipper, however, started from the mark aiven him in the race progjamme, and won his heat in record time. In the final Tipper had to start off 210 yds.

Lord Kitchener evidently believe* in the oycliit soldier, for recently advertised in the Capetown papers for volunteers for a Capetown Cyclist Corps. The regiment was being formed to guard the communications of Cape Colony. The pay offered was 5s per day and 2s per day extra for the bicycle jf furnished by the recruit. If a recruit could not provide his own bicycle hl3 pay would be 5s per day, and he -would be supplied with a bicycle free, which would become his own. property at the end of three months' service. Rations (or allowance in lieu), equipment, and necessary clothing v/ere to be found by the Government.

An instance of dogged determination is forced on us by a performance during the recent six days' race at Boston. Karl Kaser, a German rider, after sustaining a Tiroken wrist, went on. and put up a 100-mile record of 4hr 27min 21 3-ssec.

The '"century fiend" is very much in evidence in America. According to an exchange. W. L. Stannard, of Springfield, Mass , has ridden. 38,859 miles in the year 1900, averaging ! Cjyer 106 miles a day. At Algiers a cyclist-pedestrian match, 20 kilometres for the wheeler and 10 for the pedestrian, naturally ended in a win for the wheels in 35min 36«ec. Still tho pedestrian was not satisfied, and challenged the winner, who accepted

For the fsr«t lime in the history of England we hove a King and a Queen who are cyclist?. King Kdward VII learnt to ride a few*years back, and his beautiful ronsort was one of the earliest cyclists, but has always, ridden a light tricycle. Neither cycle in public, but are often- to be seen awheel around Sandringham.

The Governor-General, in writing to the Dunlop Tyrf Company in respect to their offer to place a Dp Dion motor car at the ser vice of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York during their Australian visit, thanks the company for their kind offer, but regrets that, owing to the brief stay that is to be made in the different States," ho is prevented froia having the pleasure of accepting their offer on behalf of Iheh- Royal Highnesses. LEAGUE OF WHEELMEN. CHRISTCHURCH. March 19. At last night's meeting of the Council c! the League of Wheelmen a letter was received from Martin stating that he could not leave Melbourne before April 23, and that he would be prepared to stay four weeks in the colony if sufficient inducements were forthcoming, and arrangements made wit'i other centres for him to race. Lawfcon and j Chapman also asked that exppnses^for them- j selves and trainer bo paid. It wps decided to place the offers before the local clubs. The council decided to endorse the action of the Southland centre in .suspending Sutherland for 14 days for using- abusnei lpnguaje. \

March 25. . At a meeting of the Council of the League of New Zealand Wheelmen, coiTespoiKlenoo

was read from the Southland Centre with r*i gard to the suspension of Sutherland, and from' the latter protesting against the withholding^ of the first prize in the Mile Scratch Race a.9, Invercargill. He maintained the time limiti set was unreasonable, and asked for an inquiry. The letters with regard to the sus-"' pension weie received, and it was decided! not to interfere with the centre's action in; withholding the prize money. The South) Australian League wrote that, on account oil the dates clashing, it could not send a repre-' sentative to New Zealand this year, but would endeavour to do so another year. The News South Wales Cyclists' Union wrote stating' that now the New Zealand Cyclists' Alliance was defunct, it was desirous of recognising the New Zealand League, and intended to bel represented at the Championship meeting. Later the Union cabled that it was sending Kersham and Turnbull. A few days later if> „ cabled that the New South Wales League ob/.i lected to "Union riders competing at the League Championship meeting. The New Zealand League replied that as the New, South Wales League previously ignored itn invitation to be represented, it could not now accept the League's representatives without, the consent of the Union. The New South. Wales League has since cabled that it is send* ing both a professional and amateur to tha New Zealand League's meeting, and insisted on their being allowed to compete in terms of the reciprocity agreement between tha various Leagues. The Victorian League cabled that it supported the New South Wales League. In the course of a, discussion tho Chairman stated that since June, 1899, tho New Zealand League had recognised tho - Cyclists' Union aa the governing body of amateur cycling in New South Wales. It appeared the New South Wales Leaguo had not taken action until the Union decided to be represented. The council decided not to accept the entry of the New South Wale?' League's amateur, and that it could no'guarantee the ftppearai:ce money for a professional representative, 0s requested. Mr Keste\en, secretary of the New Zealand League of Wheelmen, Lrs received a cabiegiam from the New South Wales League stating- that J. Megson, the woll-known Syd I ncy champion, is to be sent over to represent I the colony in the cash championships. (J. j Sutherland intends immediately after tho i League championships to leave for Melbourne, end will compete in race meetings 1 there during the remainder of tho Australian season. It i\s also stated that R. Corine.ll, :■. Temuka lider, who won the New Zealand Wheel race, will also journey to Australir. SYDNEY, Maich 25. The League of Wheelmen have selected Mr Chamberlain, the English amateur, as theii* representative to the Chriptchurch meetiii7. It is not yet c°rtain which of the New South Wales riders will start. It is also stated that it is a certainty that the League's representative will not, be allowed fb stare if the Union's representative rides, and vice \ersa. / Never in the annals of the Australasian cycling trade has the quality of Canadian bicycles been better demonstrated. The last four Australß have been won by Canadianbuilt bicyqles. There must be something in this continued, success, which is unsurpassed t The Austral is a race which tests tha speed and pedalling qualities of every machine engaged^ because of the grass track and the fact that Australia's best riders compete. Briefly, such tests talk eloquently in favour of Red Bird b'cyclc?. Samples of latestmodels can be seen at Messrs ¥. A. Hooper and Co.'s, local agents.