LADY CYCLISIS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5564, 20 February 1897, Page 3

LADY CYCLISIS.

AN AMUSING DISCUSSION ON IfATIONAL DHKSS.

The nnnual meeting of members of the Ladies' Cyclists' Association was held at the Agricultural Hull, London, under the presidency of Jlrs Goodlmil, when there was a large attendance, The secretary, Miss Grace Mnrrcll, ill her animal report-, stated that the membership Imd considerably increased during the past year. The weekly runs had been well attended, The report was adapted. After suggested alteration in the rules had been dealt with, Miss A, tic Pass moved the following resolution" That (without any desire to discourage tho wealing of a rational costume, but simply in justice to manynietubers now belonging to the association who ride in skirts) a skirted section be formed to have mid-week runs, with a separate captain, place, and lime ot meeting." Miss Earlaud,|who seconded, said she did so with pleasure, although iin ardent advocate of rational dress. She was in favour of a liberal rendering of the word " rational," and thought if the resolution werccarried there would bo less friction between tho two sections of riders. (Hear, hear.) It would not be long however, before all lady riders discarded the skirts for the newer mid better costume.

A Member: It appears as though the knickerbockers will have to tolerate the skirls while the skirts are to boycott the knickerbockers. (Laughter). The secretary said many members would not ride with ladies who wore rationals, and under those circumstances it would be well to pass the resolution. Personally she favoured the rational dress, and always wore it when riding. Miss Vance said it was a fact that all ladies, when they j began to ride, declared they would never wear rationals, but many soon nltered their opinion, Some ladies, howeyer, were hampered with husbands or brothers—(laughter)—who strongly objected (o rationals. Although in favour of that mode of bicycle dress, she thought it was not fair to assume that skirts were not rational. One section had no light to force another section into knickerbockers because they themselves had found t-licm comfortable. Ladies who wore skirts paid the same subscription as other ladies, and if they wished to be kept back by n good head wind there was no reason why they should not have their way. There was one lady in the room who would have her bicycle taken away from her if she either rode in rationals or rode with those who did, (Cries of " Shame "). Tne resolution was carried by a large majority, A voto of condolence with Lady Richardson on the death of her distinguished husband was carried. The Countess ofMalniesbury was elected president of the association for the ensuing year.