ON THE WHEEL

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 665, 4 December 1902, Page 6

ON THE WHEEL

A match for £lO between a son of Mr O'Brien, secretary to the New South Wales League, and a son of Mr A. Haydoß, of Balmain, Sydney, is shortly to take place. Both these budding scorchers kava just attained the mature age of seven. They had far bettor be kept in the Bur,wr y\ One of the unfortunate victims of the. rafii tragedy in connection with the Elingamite wreck was ' a well-known Melbourne racing cyclist named H. Rogers. The racing cyclists at St. Hilda at their last meeting wore crape on their arms out of respect to the memory of the deceased, who was -a popular member of the V ictory Cycle Club. # ■ “ Bill ” Martin, the American cyclist, paced by a six-horsepower motor car, last week, tried to lower the Australasian mile record of Imin 34sec, made by himself. He failed, doing it in Imin 37 2-5 MC.

* ” * * “ Major ” Taylor, the great American cyclist, will be a passenger on the next incoming ’Frisco mail steamer, the Sonoma, which is due here on the 14th inst. The flying darkey is under contract with the Sydney cycling authorities to ride sixteen races in New South Wales for the very substantial fee of £l5OO. _ The Victorian League refused to share in the expense, as it was considered the figure was too high. This has left the Sydney people to bear the financial strain on their own account, which seems a pity. Don. Walker, J. Megson, R. H. Walne, and G. R. Morgan are to be invited to meet Taylor in a series of paced mile races at the January Carnival. * * * *

A Sydney writer thus enthuses over the concluding day of the Carnival in Sydney just finished C—“ I doubt if anyone elsewhere ever witnessed a better night’s sport. The weather was ideal (though) fireballs had been falling all day in Victoria). and there was a breeze, the record time (Imin 54sec) in the Wheel Race shows that it did not brake the race much : the lighting was perfect; there was a splendid crowd (the show made by the ladies being superb under the brilliant illuminations of the stands), and tiined up by the good; prizes and the general enthusiasm, the riders put forth their very best efforts.”

The Maclean Bros., who arrived with such a flourish ’of trumpets from America the other day, are already on their way back to “God’s country.” (says the “Sydney “Referee). Their determination to quit sO qUick was somewhat surprising, seeing that they cabled “The Referee” from Auckland, asking to be entered for alTpossible eventst, and they were accordingly entered for the late carnival and the M.B.C. authorities were put to some trouble to handicap them for the Austral meeting at the eleventh hour. Their hurried departure ;,for the Pacific Slope reminds me of an incident in connection

i with the visit of the late oarsman O’ \ ; Connor (with whom I had as much to do - | professionally as anyone) to Sydney. Ho j was accompanied by a limb of the law • from Canada, who acted as guide, philosopher, and friend, and prided himself mifeh on his “ Bluenose ” cuteness. Ho j was not long here when he naturally gravi- ■ tated to the classic Parramatta course, I where it happened quite a number of . , scullers were in training. O’ Connor’® i friend opened his eyes in wonder at tho display of muscle, and remarked : Why, v they’re bloomin’" well all rowers here,” or words to that effect, and got away by the first boat. I don’teuggest for a moment that Don. Walker scared the Macleans, but one would have been all the better pleased to see them stop and show ua j what they could -do. It is said their <fepparture was solely a matter of.businssß, i and they are coming back much' better , equipped for the fray next season. I • • • •

The racing was fairly good, but the mass of riders have scarcely struck form yet, and Martin in particular disappointed spectators by his lack of dash, says a Melbourne writer, referring to the recent St. Kilda meeting. This lack was so appreciable in the third heat of the Stuart Mile, , that several spectators were moved hoot. In an interview with the stewards Martin made an explanation, but the referee (Mr W. Gleeson) subsequently announced that it had been decided to, call Martin before the League at its first meeting. . v

Taylor, in 1899, won the world’s mile championship easily, but since then ha haa not ridden in a world’s championship—these races are contested on Sundays, and Taylbr will not race on the Sabbath, despite very tempting offers to do so. In France last year, Jacquelin, the Frenchman, was quite satisfied that Taylor was the proper person to carry the title Cf world’s championship, and no person has since nisputed his. right to it. He raced partly in the American circuit, which closed on September 31, and though he did not start in more than half the championship events, he made a wonderful record, and was fast overhauling the leaders, Kramer and Ivor Lawson, when the circuit closed. He is regarded as absolutely invincible as a sprinter.

Miss Foster rode a mile behind pace last month at the Crystal Palace, doing the trip in Imin 53sec, which is a record for any lady rider.

T. Hall, the English rider, lowered the ten mile record to 12min 39 l-ssec on ths Buffalo track last month.

Don. Walker, the crack Victorian cyclist, is riding in such brilliant form just now that there are many who opine that ha will beat the black wonder Major Taylor;

A patent has recently been granted for ball bearings for railway rolling stock, the idea of which is not to work the balls round the axle, but inside' of the wheel’s rim, so that the wheel itself remains stationary while the vehicle ife running,, the rim only revolving. Wheels' thus constructed will permit a vehicle to travel at three times the present speed without additional motive power or extra risk. The experiments. so far, have been highly satisfactory. It is added that, with a little modification, this principle of hearing will prove advantageous for, automobiles end motor waggons.

Don. Walker, who has been riding so brilliantly this season in Australia, was disqualified tor a month on Saturday, at th« Austral Wheel meeting, in Melbourne, ivr suspicious riding in the Three Mile event. He had previously captured the One and Five Mile events, and the (’ommonwealth Stakes, and was a pronounced favourite for the .Austral Wheel Race, from which he is now debarred. I ruly the wavs of professional cyclists are past finding out. 11