A HEAVY TASK.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 943, 2 April 1908, Page 13

A HEAVY TASK.

Some months ago, it may be remembered, Lieut. Paul G-raetz, a German officer, commenced a motoi- drive across South Africa, the route being, roughly, from Dares-Salaam, German West Africa, to Swakopound, German East Africa. Not very long after his start he had serious trouble with his engine, the cylinders havmg cracked, then he was compelled to send back for replacements, which cost him a deal of time. News has been received to the effect that he has reached Bismarckburg, at the southern end of Lake Tanganyika, and that he is making very slow progress may be gauged from the fact that the distance to the spot named is only 1100 miles from his starting-point.

In 1902 it was decided to found a memorial to the memory of Mr. J. K. Starley, the originator of the safety bicycle of to-day, who had just died. The movement was taken up with some enthusiasm, but trade jealousy prevented a comprehensive recognition of Mr. Starley’s achievements. Among the subscribers were- Mr. A. J. Balfour, M.P., and many other notabilities, and about £450 was collected. But what form of memorial was not decided until quite recent y, when it was arranged to hand the money over to the Institute of Mechanical Engineers for a triennial prize award for the best paper on “ The Development of Road Locomotion.”

The wor.d’s championships have been fixed for July 26 at Leipzig, and July 30 and August 2 at Berlin. Next year’s championships will be held in Denmark.

Major Taylor has signed a contract to ride at Boston, on an indoor track, in a match either with Iver Lawson or F. Kramer. The race will probably take place before Taylor goes to Europe.

Over 18,000 motoi* cars have been registered by the London County Council up to the end of last year, which number does not include motor cycles, the figures relating to these machines being 8000.