EVERYDAY RHYMES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XII, 21 March 1896, Page 319

EVERYDAY RHYMES.

THE ’CYCLIST AND THE MAGISTRATE. 4 T the Auckland Police Court the other day a AX 'cyclist was fined 20s and costs for riding his machine on the footpath. His Worship, in imposing the fine, said he was determined to put a stop to bicycle riding along the footpath. ’Cyclists used the footpaths to prevent the tyres of their machines from wearing out, by avoiding the rough roads, and evidently considered it was better to be fined 20s once in a while than to have to pay /'3 for a new tyre. It was a question of tyre versus fine, and if a 20s fine would not have any effect, he would increase the fine until it would. THE CYCLIST SPEAKS. Dear Mr Northcroft, tell me. sir. Why yon so harshly treat Those bicyclists who much prefer The pavement to the street ? Along the sidewalks of the town Their hoops the youngsters spin. And though they run the people down. You nevtr run them in. The nursery maids monopolise The pavements with their ‘ prams Why are then sacred in your eyes > Why don’t they use the trams ! And ladies with impunity Drag trains of strange creation ; Has justice no machinery To drag them to the station I Why do you look with partial eye On hoop, and • pram ' and train I And grant them privileges I Would beg from you in vain. The 'Cyclists, like the Christians, may Desire to save their souls ; Why turn them from the ‘ narrow way ’ To where destruction rolls? Were not the lion of your wrath By city by-laws tethered. The rider on the tarry path Would soon be tarred and feathered. As 'tis. in fines you vent your ire— A’our zeal is past admiring — And those discourses on the tyre To me are somewhat tiring. Grant that I trespassed as 1 did. I think that I could show That costs when added to the ’quid Is more than “Quid pro quo. But. knowing what strong views you hold About this modern craze. I think no man, however bold. Could win you from your ways. I’nless you first had learned to fly Upon a 'cycle's wings ; Then you would never more deny What joy the pavement brings.