ON THE WHEEL

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 438, 15 December 1898, Page 6

ON THE WHEEL

[By

Cyclos.]

LEAGUE OF NEW ZEALAND WHEELMENThe Governing Body of Cycling in New Zealand, AMATEUR and CASH. Federated with National Cyclists Union of England. The Leagues of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland, and Western Australia. AFFILIATED CLUBS. Club. Secretary. Auckland Cycling Club ... ... G. Peace Carterton Cycling Club W. McKenzie Danevirke Cycling Club .. .. • J- Holt Feilding Cycling Club M. 8. Brunette Foxton Cycling Club ... ... C. T. Austin Hawera Cycling Club ... ... A. M. Conroy Huntly Cycling Club W. Ellison Manawatu Cycling Club J. F- Manning Otaki Cycling Club A. Knocks Rangitikei Cycling Club J. Robson Wellington. Cycling Club B- Hood Wanganui & W.C. Cycling Club H. R. Woon Wairarapa Cycling Club ... ... F. C. Reynolds Woodville Rovers Cycling Club H. P. Home Weraroa Cycling Club C. Thompson New Plymouth Cycling Club ... H. H. Mace Petone-Hutt Cycling Club ... F. Packard Ariel Cycling Club J- Muller Christchurch Cycling Club ... F. D. Kesteven Hokitika Cycling Club E. J. Dorreen Denniston Cycling Club ... .... J. T. Jaspers Greymouth Cycling Club... ... E. M. Sheedy Invercargill Cycling Cash Club... W. E. Gladstone Jubilee Cycling Club ... T. G. Jamieson Kumara Cycling Club ... ... R. Rouse Marlborough Cycling Club ... J. H. Scott North Otago Cycling Club ... J. E. Hood Reefton Cycling Club J. F. Clark Riverton Cycling Club ... ... H. H. Twemlow Selwyn Cycling Club G. C. Derrott Amberley Rovers ... ... ... J. Blain Alexandra Cycling Club ... ... J. R. Cairns Otago Cycling Club D. Duncan Roxburgh Cycling Club ... ... W. George Vincent Cycling Club G. Stumbles Invercargill A.C. & A.C.... ... E. Norton Dunedin Cycling Club W. R. Brugh Lawrence Cycling Club ... ... J. B. Rinley Middlemarch Cycling Club ... J. Robertson Star Cycling Club J. W. Manchester Mataura Cycling Club T. G. Smith Gore Cycling Club .. .. G. F. Morison Westport Cycling Club ... ... J. S. Webb Wyndham Cycling Club ... ... D. J. McLauhlan Balclutha Cycling Club J. W. Mitchell Otago Railway Cycling Club ... L. Barclay Stratford Cycling Club ... G. Pritchard Wanderers Cycling Club ... W. Copeland Nelson Cycling Club . ... N.B. Levien Wanganui Cycling Club ... J. T. Muir Thames Cycling Club ... ... A. Williams Port Nicholson Cycling Club ... A. E. Homer Gisborne Cycling Club R- Cole Kaiapoi Cycling Club J. E. Brockelbank Tapanui Cycling Club W Butcher Pioneer Cycling Club ... .. R. O. Duncan Waitemata Cycling Club ... E. G Skeates Oxford Cycling Club W H Alford Waihi Cycling Club ... ... E. Joll Bruce Cycling Club J. M cLeod F. D. KESTEVEN, Secretary. 7, Chancery Lane, Christchurch.

League of New Zealand Wheelmen’s Definition AMATEUR SECTION. A League Amateur is one who is the holder of an amateur license from the League, and who has not since November 4th, 1897 1. Engaged in, nor assisted in, nor taught any cycling exercise formoney or other remuneration. 2. Knowingly competed with or against a person who does not hold a license under the Amateur Definition of this League, or a person under suspension, for a remuneration of auy description, or in any cycle contest in public (except where permission is granted by the Executive). 3. Made pace for, or been paced by a person who does not hold a license under this League, or for or - : by a person under suspension by this League. 4. Sold, realised upon, or otherwise converted into cash any prize won by him. 5. Accepted directly, or indirectly any remuneration, compensation, or expenses whatever from a cycle manufacturer, agent, sport promoter, or person interested in the trade or sport, for cycle riding, except where special permission is granted by the Executive, j CASH SECTION. Any member of the League outside the Amateur Section is eligible to hold a Cash license, which is forfeited by—l. Competing aglinst any person who does not hold a license under the Cash Section of this League, or ' against a person under suspension, or at an unauthorised meeting, except where permission is granted by the Executive. 2. Making pace for, or being paced by, a person who does not hold a license under this League, or - for or by a person under suspension. 3. Racing for a bet, stake, or gate money, without permission of the Executive. While other centres are crying out that amateur cycling is rapidly dwindling away, Auckland may proudly boast a steady growth in this popular branch'of sport. This was evidenced at the spring carnival of the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club last week, when the largest fields yet seen out in this centre competed in the various races set down x. for decision, the majority of which were most keenly contested, and productive of close finishes and very fair times. The leading honors of the day went to a new rider in D. Reid, who won the Two-mile Handicap, second in the Five- , mile, and third in the One-mile Novice, thus gaining the club’s Yictor-Ludorum. Reid is hardly what would be called an attractive rider so far as his style is con- ~ concerned, but is a strong pedaller, with a tidy spurt in him at the business end of the journey. Gunson, famed for his seconds and thirds, again succeeded in gaining places, but failed to put a first to his credit.. 7 He rode consistently and well, taking second points in the competition for the Victor. Coates, of the Waikato, secured the ~ Two-mile Club Championship, winning with a fine spurt from Gunson, who fought out the issue in most determined fashion. At the same time, the race was somewhat 5 slow, loafing being noticeable in one or two laps. Innis, another Waikato rider, had extremely hard luck in being brought down in the Championship, ' as did also J. Crozier, it having all along been considered that this pair and Coates would have fought out the finish. Innis was also brought down in one of the handicap events when holding a good position. Others who rode well at the meeting were J. Crozier (winner of the Five-mile), Cucksey, Henning, Grey George, A. W. Joss, J. Graham, and A. Cooper (Novice winner). Rouff, a new man, who caused a deal of trouble at the Thames through his “ wobbling,” again gave riders an un- •, '■> comfortable time on Wednesday, and unfortunately in trying to run off the track he struck a post, and fractured his collar-bone. The riding on the Exhibition banked track on Saturday, when a programme was provided for amateurs, was very fair considering that some of the riders had not been more than once or twice on the track for training purposes. The mile flutter fell to Morrin, 40yds, in 34sec, the Half-mile Championship to J. Crozier in I min ISsec, and the Two-mile Handicap to D. Reid, from 80yds, in smin 25sec, - It seems doubtful as to whether a portion of the clubs affiliated to the New Zealand Cyclists’ Alliance have power to disband the Alliance, while another section announce their preparedness to stand loyal. The Auckland Club is likely to ask the question on this point. The Mohammedan Cycling Club, says an Indian exchange, which was started here a short time ago with a few mem- . bers, has now a membership roll of sixty. This is a significant fact, and shows hoW‘ the pastime has caugiu on even with our Moslem friends, who are the most? backward race in India.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, December 20 and 21, Messrs Churton and Co. (John Churton, auctioneer) will hold a monster sale of bicycles, including Humber and Raleigh machines. Each machine will be sold separately, and up to the date of sale may be examined by intending purchasers. All the machines are new,' and of the very best type. Cyclists wanting roadsters of the best make at cheap prices should look into this and attend the sale. At the recent New South Wales League Carnival one rider was fined 10s for looking behind in a race. The New South Wales Cyclist states that bookmakers were very much in evidence at the League of New South Wales Carnival, and “ could be heard calling the odds all over the ground. So long as the ‘ books ’ keep to the shilling stand, and away from the dressing-room, they will not do any harm. Any sporting man likes to have his little bet, and if some respectable bookmakers were licensed by the League, it would add considerably to the attendance at League carnivals in the future.” A Christchurch telegram says : “ Definite information has now been received by cable from Melbourne that the Christchurch • Cycling Club’s team won the Dunlop Century Relay ride. The Pivot Club (Geelong, Victoria) was reported to have better time, but its record was not authenticated. It was given a further opportunity to repeat the performance, but declined, and Christchurch has now been declared the winner.” Prejudice against the bicycle for women was at one time rampant, but has been lived down pretty effectually; so much so that at the present time a woman who does not ride a bicycle is almost a rara avis. There is little doubt that, had the rational dress proved more becoming to women in general, its adoption would have increased with the adoption of the bicycle for women, notwithstanding the opinion of fanatics with regard to its lack of decency as a dress. Thirty inch wheels are the talk of those interested in American cycle trade. The most striking feature of this new style is the kite frame and extremely short head. —only 3|in in length. The crank hanger has a drop of 4£in, and when 7in cranks are fitted, the pedals must sweep exceptionally close to the ground. In the model under notice the rider is placed extremely close to level of his wheels. Makers do not claim for these 30in models that they are speedier than those with 28in wheels, but that they steer better and run with less vibration ; and on the ground that in these days nine-tenths of cyclists ride for pleasure, not speed, makers reckon they should do good business with these 30 inchers. Undoubtedly, one of the chief reasons for bringing out 30in machines is resuscitate trade, which has lan gui sued to some extent on account of the fixity cf patterns for some years past, The introduction of chainless bicycles has not had much effect on the on account of the exorbitant priC6~”rendering them unpopular. The prices ruling for 30in models is low enough, in all reason, running from £lO to £l5. — Australasian.