ON THE WHEEL

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 529, 7 February 1901, Page 5

ON THE WHEEL

| By

CYCLOP.

Martin complains that “ an official ” at the North Suburban Club’s meeting, after expressing a wish to “have a bob. or two ” on him, accused him of falling on purpose to lose! A rider of Martin’s experience wculd not be likely to so risk his neck, even if disposed to do anything, crooked ; and if the story can be corroborated, that “official” should be seen no more at any decently conducted meet-’ ing. At a recent meeting of the League of New Zealand Wheelmen it was decided to make an endeavor to secure the presence of Forbes, Hunt, and Body, and some of the Australian riders, at the Easter championship meeting. The secretary was instructed to write to Australia and see what could be done. Representatives of the committee of the Melbourne Cricket Club waited on the Attorney-General, to ask to be allowed, under the provisions of the Streets Betting Suppression Act, to prohibit betting at the M.C C ground at bicycle sports held there from time to time. The congregation of bookmakers and other objectionable characters at bicycle sports has been alluded to before in these colutns, and the committee of the M.C.C. has been urged to take steps to abate the nuisance. Mr Isaacs pointed out that there was no power under the Act to allow of the exclusion of objectionable characters from bicycle sports, but he had framed a clause to amend the Streets Betting Suppression Act which would meet the object now aimed at by the committee of the Melbourne Crickt Club. W. A. Edmonds, of the N.C.U., has, this season, gained twenty-two 11 -t. nud two Local Centre Championships and seven Challenge Cups. As a result of the recent conference between the Mayor and Mr A. Kidd and a deputation from the Cycle Roads League,, it is probable that a path will be constructed along the seaside of Beach Road. This will give a fine level run, and if the Council carry out the work they will earn the gratitude of all Auckland cyclists. The Mayor mentioned that the present was an exceptionally inconvenient time to consider the matter of constructing cycle paths in the city, but after the new tram lines were laid down and the water supply completed, there would be plenty of opportunity to discuss the whole question. The Mayor informed the deputation that the Tramway Company intended to pave the space between their lines with wood, and that they might possibly,, if the matter was placed before them, extend the paving on one side sufficiently to enable cyclists to ride on it. They might also, possibly, with the company’s permission, and at their own risk, ride between the rails on the paving. These were, however, merely suggestions, and their fulfilment lay with the company. The Auckland Roads League are movingin the direction of getting cheaper rates of carriage of bicycles on the railways. The movement is one wo i thy of support, as the railway officials are not always as careful as they might be in the handling and stowing of machines, which are articles which require great care in .stowing. It is only right ths* prcvrri'ui

should be made by the Government to have special means of storage for bicycles on the railways. Provision is made for the conveyance of cycles in America and other countries, therefore it is only reasonable that the same should be provided in N*»w Zealand. It is just announced that Bouhours was the biggest stake winner on the Continent last season with £Boo..Martin has won over that in Australia in three months.

Bill Martin won £285 in prize-money at the recent night carnival in Sydney, and he did not race on the first three nights. The other chief winners were— G. R. Morgan, £B3 ; F. S. Beauchamp, £56; J. Megson, £47; A. Gudgeon, £4O; I. Lawson, £3O; and J. Green, £29. It is very hard for the New South Wales champion, J. Megson, that .he should he unwell while the recent racing was on in Sydney. 4 During the first three nights Megsor was on top, but after that he contracted a heavy cold, and had to take a back seat. He has now, however, almost recovered. It is the opinion of a great many that Ivor Lawson, the American, is a faster sprinter than Megson. The American is certainly a wonderful finisher, for very often he does not appear to have a chance 150yds from the winning line, but he travels much faster than the others over the last hundred yards, and wins. This is were Megson shines when at his best. He is a very fast finisher. A race,between the American and Megson in his true form would be worth travelling a long way co see. At the last meeting of the general committee of the English A.A. A. held on December 8, two records were passed, viz., C. H. Jupp’s 100yds in lOsec, on June 13, 1900; and C. Bennett’s threequarter mile in 3min 10 4-ssec, on September 22, 1900. With regard to the proposal of the A.A.U. of Austra-

lasia for an alliance with the English A.A. A., the question was discussed, and the hon. secretary was instructed to communicate with Mr Marks, the bon. secretary of the A.A. Union for fuller p irticulars of the proposed alliance. I am sure I cannot understand what additional particulars can be required. Ample and complete information was given in the letter sent as to what was desired. It is not generally known to most people that the pneumatic tyre was invested before the solid, yet such was the case. The first pneumatic was invented in 1845, but it failed to catch on to any extent, and the solid tyre, which afterwards came into general use, was not introduced till 1846. It is, therefore, somewhat strange that the pneumatic tyre did not find favor until some thirty odd years after it was first introduced. Ben Goodson is improving fast since he started to ride with the best in Australia. As on the Turf, there is nothing like actual racing for bringing out quality. Ben should soon be annexing prizes over all distances. When Bill Martin went across from Australia to ’Frisco he played cards for two days and nights without a sleep. “ I lost my sleep,” says Martin, “but I won 500dol; and if I could only have got my sleep, too, I’d have won 1500dol.”