New Zealand League of Wheelmen’s Definition of a Cyclist.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 359, 10 June 1897, Page 2

New Zealand League of Wheelmen’s Definition of a Cyclist.

A wheelmen ceases to be eligible by — (a) Engaging in cycle racing, or training or coaching any person therein as a means of obtaining a livelihood, (b) Accepting directly, or indirectly, any remuneration, compensation or expenses whatever from a cycle manufacturer, agent, sports promoter or other person interested in the trade or sport, for cycle riding, except where special permission is granted by the League. Note.—A wheelman does not become ineligible by teaching the elements of wheeling solely for the purpose of effecting the sale of the machine. As the above constitutes the New Zealand League of Wheelmen’s definition of eligibility to race under its rules, we have decided to publish‘it in each issue of the Review, and express the hope that the same will be strictly enforced, especially Rule A, which, we venture to assert, has been broken by two wellknown cyclists in this colony, of whom it will suffice to say. after having done little or nothing else but cycle racing during the past six months, have just left for the other side to follow up racing there. The success of the League of Wheelmen in this colony depends upon the enforcement of Rule A perhaps more than anything else, for once we get an army of competitors travelling from one end of the country to the other, the sport would quickly degenerate and cease to obtain the support of that class of people without which no branch of sport can prosper.

In a recent issue of the New Zealand Cyclist, under “ From our Auckland Correspondent,” appears an intimation that the 1 ‘ The Auckland Cycling Club has the utmost confidence in the present management of the New Zealand League of Wheelmen, and has no sympathy with the suggestion to form a separate association for the North Island.”

With reference to the above, I do not know of any definite action having so far been taken with regard to two controlling bodies for the League of New Zealand Wheelmen, but I understand that several of the leading secretaries in the North Island are strongly of opinion that two executives, one for each Island, would give far better results than as at present, when the whole of the North

Island clubs have to be represented by proxy, which is not aways a reliable source for the expression of a club’s opinion on matters of importance to their individual welfare. Personally, I consider distinct executives, working under exactly the same rules, endorsing dispualifications imposed by either, with an appeal board, would work more smoothly than the present constitution. , The Auckland Club has signified its disapproval of such a change, their argument being that Christcjanrch is the home ’ of the new cash organisation, and no place in the colony has such a right to be the headquarters of the League as the southern city, and that so far as they are concerned, that wherever in the North Island the delegates to a North Island Executive (if formed) met, they would still have to be represented by proxy. Just to see how it would work, take the centrally situated town of Wanganui, where one of the finest cycling tracks in the Australasian colonies and appointments, costing £lOOO, is nearing completion, as the headquarters for a North Island Executive. How many affiliated clubs in the North Island could send delegates to attend important meetings in that to win The following could always be thus represented : —Manawatu, Woodville, Feilding, Rangitikei, Wanganui, Hawera, and New Plymouth, whilst in all likelihood next season will see several new cycling clubs formed on the West Coast, Patea and Waverley having already discussed the inauguration of clubs. I shall have more to say on this subject later on. In South Africa a ten shilling tax has been imposed upon cyclists. The Ameer of Afghanistan has had a machine built for him by a London firm on which he can ride in comfort, while two attendants work the pedals, he being averse to using the energy required to propel a bicycle. One of the latest inventions is a saddle made of-paper. It is stated as an advantage that it can be manufactured in any colour to match the enamel of the bicycle. The papier mache is susceptible of receiving a very high enamel finish,-' which can be renewed at a slight expense, making the saddle at all times appear like new. It is fitted with an ordinary spring support. K An enterprising American has invented a bicycle ambulance, which consists of two tandems, joined together by a light tubing as a framework. Between them a stretcher is placed, which can be detached at will, so that a wounded man can be lifted from the ambulance and carried into the hospital comfortably. A canvas top, shaped like a tent, affords a perfect protection from the sun, wind, and rain. The weight of the ambulance is 1151 b, and it can easily be managed by two men. It is also intended to act as a a police ambulance in cities. Ladies are now taking up the making of bicycle covers as a new art. These covers look very neat and cost very little, being fashioned after the style of a tea cosy, except that one side is made to open and fall over the machine, being secured at the bottom by a row of buttons. Such covers are very useful in keeping the machine from dust when stowed away, and also in preventing it from being scratched. A man on a tandem, with his wife or sweetheart on the front seat, always has something pleasant to look forward to. Don’t fail to note the number of your bicycle. It may come in handy in identifying the machine at the police station. The average man is (says Bedrings') the cyclists’ enemy until he becomes a rider himself. Then he changes his spectacles., A Bill has been introduced in the Canadian House to compel railway companies to carry bicycles free as personal luggage. The first Humber bicycle was made twenty-nine years ago by Mr Thomas Humber, founder of the famous Beeston firm. A return prepared by the RegistrarGeneral shows the development of the cycle industry in New Zealand. There are now 125 persons employed in 19 works, and the value of manufactures and repairs increased from £5655 in 1890 to £18,817 in 1895. when 734 cycles were made at those manufactories. The land, buildings and plant in use in 189596 were estimated to be worth about £24,000, as against about. £6OOO in 1891.

The N.S.W. League of Wheelmen will probably include an intercolonial team race in their programme for the June Carnival. In the event of the race being decided upon New Zealand, New South Wales, and Victoria will be represented.

Now that cycling has become so popular with all classes (says the Wheeler}, the next most intelligent animals to human beings themselves seem to be taking it up. A firm have had an order from Mr Sam Lockhart, of Leamington, the world-famed elephant trainer, for a tricycle for his elephant Trilby. This sweet little thing weighs a little over half a ton, and Trilby’s feet in this case necessitate the use of pedals somewhat on the style of frying-pans. The machine is to be of the front-driver type, as Trilby is quite a child, and wants a tricycle on the juvenile style. When she has quite mastered this machine, the makers are going to build her a rear-driving tricycle of the most up-to-date type. The tricycle is to have pneumatic tyres, but the make of the tyre is not yet decided on. The managers of the firm have been busy working out the designs for this novel machine, so that Trilby may have her machine in good time to practice for jubilee processions, etc.