OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIV, Issue VI, 9 February 1895, Page 127

OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

ATA LANTA CYCLING CLUB, CHRISTCHURCH. (BY F. R.) THE first lady who subdued a bicycle, like the first person who ate an oyster, deserves honour and gratitude. One iutrodnced a new pleasure to the palate of his fellows, the other introduced one of the pleasantest and most useful forms of exercise that her sex could know. Blessed be the woman who first mastered the subtle eccentricities, the determined sinuosities of the lowwheeled bicycle ! She opened for her sex an independence almost as glorions as the franchise ; she annihilated for them distances hitherto unapproachable ; she brought to the dweller in towns all the delights of the country, and to the dweller in the country all the excitements of the town, because she gave to her sex a steed that needeth no grocm nor cavalier, no train or railway ticket, no food, no costly dwelling and contemptnons attendant—only a little oil—when, like the steeds in Netheiby Hall, always saddled, it awaited the pleasure of its mistress night and day. Blessed be the woman who subdued it to the use of her sex, and in no part of the world should this woman be more honoured or praised than in Christehurch, for in no other part of the southern world, at least, have bicycles proved such a boon to woman or have become as frequently used by her. To Christchurch belongs tbe honour of claiming the first Ladies’ ’CyclingClub formed in Australasia. ‘The A taianta ’Cycling Club ’ —the members of which appear in our illustrations —is the pioneer club of the colonies. It was inaugurated in Angnst, 1892, and has grown steadily in power and popularity since then. It has all the machinery of clnbs—captain, secretary, and committee, which organise for its members excursions and runs after tbe fashion of masculine clnbs. During the winter months the Club held some delightful * At Homes ’ in the Club room".

Yes, 'cycling is fashionable in Christchurch. The lady ’cyclist meets no longer the vulgar comment. She is as much at home on her wiry steed as her brother riders. The Hon. Secretary of the Atalanta 'Cycling Club, Miss A. E. Barker, says : * At first a considerable amount of prejudice existed against the introduction of this form of exercise (’cycling) for the fair sex, and many who had not the courage of their convictions were slow to enter the ranks of “ wheelists,” but now the lady ’cyclist is such an accustomed sight in that paradise of ’cyclists, “ The City of tbe Plains,” that the most timid may mount the wiry steed without fear of adverse criticism. The medical profession look most favourably on the practice of ’cycling, and recommend the “ wheel ” as a tonic to many of their fair clients. The lady ’cyclists are enthusiastic in their admiration for their new pleasure. They declare it exhilarating, delightful, health-giving. They are critical in the matter of tyres and springs, have a new source of conversation in comparing ‘ pneumatics ’ with * cushions,’ and more than this, they have hosts of pleasant reminiscences connected with rides in a pleasant country, smart runs against time, friendly excursions to upland plains and glorions mountains, a new joy in nature, a wider acquaintance with their country.

A SPLENDID COLLEGE FOR GIRLS’ A WANGANUI ESTABLISHMENT. Those who have best right to pronounce an authoritative opinion on the matter have said that in the matter of educational establishments New Zealand compares favourably with any other English colony. The Girls’ College at Wanganui has already formed the subject of an interesting illustrated article in tbe Graphic, but the photographs now given will no doubt be of special interest to those whose friends are just gone, or are just going to the College. The views which are now given give glimpses of the splendid gymnasium and dining hall. A photo is also given of Mr John Notman, Chairman of the Board of Governors, and in our personal column will be found a picture of the dux of the College, Miss Williamson, whose splendid record, high character, and intellectual gifts have won for her the most flattering and well deserved emcominms. Concerning the merits of the Wanganni Girls’ College as a high-class educational establishment there can be no two opinions. There are few better girls’ schools in the world—none in New Zealand. The reports gained by the school from the Board’s examiner most emphatically substantiate the excellent acconnts given by all who have had any acquaintance with the school. As a training place for the wives and mothers of the future it is doing a vast amount of good, and as such it cannot be too highly commended or recommended.

A MONSTER TROUT.

On another page appears an excellent reproduction of the monster trout recently caught in the Waingongoro River, Taranaki, and which was presented to the Governor. The

letter of acknowledgment from Major Elliot may fittingly accompany and explain the picture. He says • The big trout arrived here all safe this morning, and Hie Excellency bids me write and thank you most cordially for the very handsome present. It is quite the finest trout I have ever seen, and shows what strides they are making in your district. His Excellency and Lady Glasgow are both so pleased with it that they are going to have it stuffed and set up tor their own museum, and it will doubtless be preserved and handed down to future generations as a very fine specimen of a New Zealand tront.'