Motoring and Cycling

Southland Times, Issue 10996, 27 July 1907, Page 3 (Supplement)

Motoring and Cycling

(By “ I’elrob' ”> ■The decision of iho Town Council re the, registration of cycles on payment oi tls t>d per annum (providing that the Borough Solicitor can frame a bylaw that will stand the lest) has been received with mixed feelings by cyclists. At the cutset the mover of the motion. Councillor Bain, was somewhat Indiscreet in stating that some cyclists deserved to be horsewhipped for frightening women and children by riding on the footpaths. It would be similaitly indiscreet to suy that some councillors should be imprisoned because the Mayor oi San Francisco broke the law atrd received five years ns b penalty. The true reasons why cyclists should be taxed and registered is .that there is u minority who break 1 lie bylaw, and when they are caught they give wrong names, which prevents their luting brought to account ior their misdeeds. And Bgdu, the fund so raised would be spent tin forming cycle tracks ia the town, which would save to the u'vernge cyclist at least three parts of the annual repair bill. The Cycling Club have already advocated the tax. providing that the wholn o£ the registration fees be used in the direction indicated, and, further, that the (bylaw relating to vehicles being kept at least three feet away from the kerb be strictly enforced. At any time of the day the carts of councillors who supported the motion may be seen bached Into the kerb in g in the principal streets. In rough weather this necessitates wheelmen circum-cyclmg th« misplaced vehicles through the municipal mud to get past. Seeing that' there is a bylaw to prohibit the practice (which, by the way, is the cause of so many broken kertrings round the tewn), is It unreasonable to ask our city fathers to enforce the byflaw ?

Soma years ago the Curistchurch Club pat down' twa miles ol track* on Ihe road

to Sumner. They found Ihut drivers of horse-drawn vehicles found it easy going to run one wheel i,u the track, with the result that the damage dbne was irreparable. and owing to the absence of a bylaw cyclists were unable to obtain redress. It will thus bo seen that the said bylaw must be rigidly enforced if cyclists are to receive ony benefit from the registration tux.

The National Mortgage Co.’s S h.p. Do Dion car lias travelled over SOOO miles during the past few months without an involuntary stop on the road. This,- con-j sidering the heavy roads to settlors’ homes, is sufficient to try the merits of any car, and the performance sjaea.kt? well for the reliability of the De Dion. 1 understand that this <uer is to lie replaced with a larger cat of the same make, which is tef arrive early. Mr F. .Martin, in the 10—12 h.p. Darraco, car, made no less than three journeys to Caroline on 'successive days during this. *reek, notwithstanding the rough weather and the bad reads. All the journeys were accomplished without mishap, Tins car has the reputation of being the first twin-cylinder to be Imported to this country. Sihce its arrival it has registered over 30,000 miles on nil kinds of roads. Tfie various tests to which it has bton subjected have only sorved to prove it? reliability. It i.a stated by American motorists that Connecticut farmers are buying up decrepit horses ami placing them on the high roads, so that they may be run over by motorcars, v.hose owners have to pay damages. I have it on tin best authority that two local motor firms n rc about to amalgamate and go in more extensively than ever for pet col-pusb.-d v, hides. As no secret was made of the Information, 1 give it to my readers. The parties are Messrs Stone Bros, and Mr A, "Russell. Already arrangements have been made for importing 12 IV TAlon cars, and also a nuc-nher of Speedwell nml Singer motorcars. These kilter can be sold much cheaper than the French models stocked I,v the firm. whose object in stocking these cars is to tap the pockets of tin* man of moderate means.

* Van llouvacrt. 4 \ llelgimn rider, won the annual’Bordeaux to Paris cycle road race, covering the distance (8157 miles) in 19 bour< 88 minutes. Stone Bros,' I's h-p. Aster car made its first run t A > Riverton with a party of four during the woes. Mr A. Studholm, of Black-mount, operating at the wheel. As showing the flexibility of tho engine, from th*- nr. the Club until tie- arrival at Riverton the car was on tho high gear, notwithstanding .numerous steps and blocks causal by cattle and sht*ep on the road. Dr Crawford has on order tho latest • model Singer motor cycle, which is similar to the one used by Dr J. B. Safio during the past inrec mouths. It is interesting to note in connection with the latter machine Unit not withstanding its heavy work the doclm* has not had occasion to use a tool on the mechanism. This says much fer tho magneto Ignition which is now regarded as the most liableIn the face of jv-ceut police court prosecutions in Canterbury* the Dunlop Tyre remnnny have decided to abandon the Timaru to Christchurch road race. This decision will lie received with grave con--1 r< rn by cycling onthurinsts and competitors through the colofiy. as this fixture has grown to be the most Important one of the year. 1