CYCLING

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 356, 20 May 1897, Page 2

CYCLING

[By

Rim.]

Auckland, October 27th, 1896. To the Proprietors, Sporting Review, Auckland. Dear Sirs, —I have pleasure in advising you that the Sporting Review has been appointed the Official Organ of the Auckland Cycle Club. Yours faithfully, J. P. HOWDEN, Sports Secretary.

The Victorian League of Wheelmen at its last meeting unanimously carried a motion calling upon Mr F. Du Rieu, the representative of the Collingwood Club, to resign. Mr Du Rieu had made a complaint that on the occasion of the LewisMartin matches some of the officials had left the ring in order to bet on the races. When asked by the League to substantiate his charge he said that as stated it was groundless. It is not generally known (says a London correspondent) that Mr P. O’Brien, M P., utilises his bicycle in fox-hunting, and on more than one occasion has arrived first at the death. He is now endeavouring to form a cycling club among wheeling members of the House of Commons. The salary of Mr Ben Garrett, secretary of the Victorian League, has been increased from £175 to £250 per annum. When Mr Garrett assumed office as paid secretary, twelve months ago, the credit balance of the league was £496 and the membership roll 700. Now the credit balance is £1350, the income for the year having been £3,967, and the number of members is 3000. Entries for the league’s June carnival at the Sydney Cricket Ground are already coming in. Two New Zealanders, A. C. Forbes (Wellington) andF. Hunt (Rangitikei), forwarded their entries. “Tommy” Osborne, the speedy Englishman, has decided to join the ranks of the professionals, and will shortly make a racing tour to foreign parts. He will first go to Paris, then to Italy, and at the close of the season to Australia. Cycle exports from England for the week ended March 26th amounted to £18,842, as compared with £9571 for the corresponding period of last year. More than half of the exports were to Australasia. A “first-aid” class is being formed among the members of the N.S.W. Cyclists’ Union. “ Prodigal,” the Sydney Referee's athletic writer, in referring to the term “ Cash Amateur Cycling Club,” says “cash” and “amateur” are words that don’t blend. A Canterbury writer, who has evidently found that betting exists in amateur ranks in Christchurch, suggests that “ Prodigal ” docs not know New Zealand’s alleged amateur cyclists, who, he says, decidedly think that cash and amateur make an excellent blend. When Porta won his first race in Australia he was quite surprised to receive a cheque the following Monday. In Italy, he explained, the successful competitors have to chase the sports promoters with stilettos in order to get the stakes. The ex-New Zealander, Pither, is said to be coming back to this colony from Australia, if he can find employment. Jones, the Christchurch rider who went to England some time since, has been granted a professional license, and talks of making his first appearance in France during June. It is admitted to be one of the most difficult things in the world to judge what pace a cyclist is travelling along a street. The most experienced wheelmen are deceived, and deceived badly. In reports of all court cases the writer has read of the testimony has been very conflicting. A man who leans over, puts his head down, and appears to be “scorching’’' in the eye of the law, may not be going worth a cent. Possibly he is a beginner putting on racing airs The Wellington council has fixed eight miles an hour as the maximum in the city, but how offenders against this regulation, if there will be any, are to be caught and punished I don’t know. A bikist may be summoned, of course, but proof as to

exact velocity is another matter. The only thing for the cycling constable to do •is to lassoo the runaway and ask him how fast he is going. Lesna, the French cyclist who behind pace cut up all the Australasian records recently, was in town during last week, and left on Saturday for France, via America. He was entertained on Friday by the Auckland Cycling Club Lesna has broken all Australian records from 2 to 10 miles, and also holds records for 15, 20, and 25 miles, besides being credited with having covered the greatest distance in one hour, namely, 27 miles 1200yds. He is thoroughly satisfied with the results of his tour, and has a high opinion of Australian cycling. I hear that E. Reynolds is thinking of entering into business or a business engagement in Wellington, and is not sure whether his headquarters will be here or in the Empire City. He would be a loss to Auckland should he decide to take up his abode in the Empire City. It is stated that J. W. Stocks, the English rider, may visit Australia, accompanied by his team of Dunlop pacers. . The different clubs affiliated to the League of Victorian Wheelmen combined on May Bth to celebrate the close of the racing season by holding a “free gate ” carnival at St. Kilda. A collection in aid of the Dave Kirk Fund was made during the afternoon. A. A. Middleton lowered Don Walker’s quarter-mile flying start record from 25 4-ssec to 2 5 sec ; and T. Relph, the Englishman, brought Megson’s mile Australasian record (flying start) down from Imin 48 3-ssec to Imin 48sec. J. Green failed in an attempt to lower the half-mile record. H. H. Walne won the South Melbourne Club mile and the inter-club nominee races, from scratch in each case. I have received the following circular from Mr H. R. Woon, secretary of the Wanganui and West Coast Cycling Club, and well-known in athletic circles throughout the North Island :—“ For some time past I have considered that the establishment of an Athletic League for the North Island of New Zealand is absolutely a necessity in the interests of the sport. I would, therefore, be glad if you would approach your committee on the matter. The main objects of the League would be: 1. To guard against men ringing-in. 2. The arrangement of dates, so as to avoid meetings clashing. 3. The awarding of adequate stakes. 4. The endorsement of all disqualifications imposed by any club by all other clubs affiliated to “The League.” 5. The appointment of one handicapper, who shall attend all meetings. 6. The compulsory use of an ‘ Official Entry Form.’ 7. The appointment of ‘ An Official Organ.’ ” The cable flashes the information that J. Plattbetts, the famous English cyclist, has beaten the world’s record, on the Crystal Palace track, for two and five miles.