CYCLING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 293, 5 March 1896, Page 5

CYCLING.

“ Porta big baby—Martin know everything—me no go, Martin.” Such was Porta’s reply to the American on being invited to tour New Zealand with the Pither —Harris —Martin combination.

It is estimated that 27,000 people were present at the Melbourne Exhibition Grounds on the evening when the final heat for the Australian Natives’ Association Wheel Race was run.

Martin, say Australian riders, is the most cunning rider on the track. He has won just about £lOO in cash prizes in Australia, and is the man to back in any scratch event where he meets the in-and-out scratch men.

A member of the Southland County Council has suggested the imposition of a tax of 2s 6d per head on cyclists as a fitting contribution towards the maintenance of the County roads. Christchurch Truth says : —“ What next! This mania for taxation is getting alarming. Before long they’ll be attaching a meter to a man’s head for the purpose of taxing him for the amount of air he breathes. A free country, indeed ! Cyclists’ attention ! ” ,

Cycling seems to be catching on in the Taranaki district, judging by the number of people seen out on “ bikes.” As the New Plymouth “boys” are pretty hard to rub out at athletic events, there is no reason why there should not be a hidden Zimmy. amongst them. The hill work they will necessarily get, say at New Plymouth, should give them any amount of stamina For a bicycle racemeeting it would be difficult to find a more picturesque spot than the popular Recreation Ground, where a good grass track could be obtained.

At the Cycle Carnival in Adelaide the Mile Championship of Australia resulted : —Megson, 1 ; Parsons, 2 ; Kirk, 3. Won by two lengths. Time, 2min 34sec. Eive-mile International Scratch Race : Parsons, 1 ; Porta, 2 ; Kirk, 3. Time, I2min 11 sec. Wheel Race: Lunn, 1 ; Wotherspoon, 2; Granter, 3. Won easily. Time, 4min 28sec. An exchange says there is such a similarity in many 1896 bicycles that were it not for the name plates the owners might find difficulty in selecting their own machines.

Parsons, paced by a triplet, undertook to lower Zimmermann’s half-mile record of 5 Bsec, and covered the distance in Msec.

The progromme for the New Zealand Championship Meeting, to be held at Palmerston North on March 11th, has been issued.