Sports and pastimes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 26, 23 October 1896, Page 6

Sports and pastimes.

Thk Rklvy Bicycle Hide.— The following is a contemporary's description ot the finish of the relay bicycle ride from Sydney to Melbourne, which lately excited great interest in the two Australian capitals. — Immense crowds thronged Elizabeth street in Melbourne as the time when the last section rider might be expected drew near, and his appearance at the head of an accompanying army of wheelmen who had ridden out to escort him to Government House was greeted with great enthusiasm. As it was impossible for him to ride through the crowds, he and his machine were lifted into a drag, in which he was driven part of the way to Government House. He then got down, and finished the rest of his journey on his bicycle, ending by handing Lord Hampden's message to Lord Brassey, who was waiting at the gates to receive it. Hundreds of cyclists were by this time on the scene, and added their numbers to the crowd round the Government House gates. In the presence of the public Lord Brassey broke the seals of the precious packet and read the contents aloud. The message, after referring to the means, by which it was conveyed from one city to the other, remarking on the value of cycling as an exercise and recreation, concluded as follows — •• This ride is an intercolonial one, and tor this reason I am pleased to support it, as I am anxious to do all in my power to further the union oi sentiment between the colonies. I trust that the time will soon anne when our rulers will be aide to steer their machines through the bonier into Victoria without fear of collision with Customs barriers, when passengers by rail will be able to rest at peace while passing the frontier at Albury. and when in all other respects Sydney and Melbourne shall be partners in the destiny and Lrloiy ot a united Australia '' These allusions to colonial federation were received with prolonged cheering. Lord Brassey then made a short speech in which he said . " There is nothing I like to see more than the interest which lias been shown in all manly exercises in this great colony. Whether it be m football, cricket, wheeling or in any oilier manly sport and pastime. I always seem to see some of the best in the world here in Australia." It is perhaps needless to add that this sentiment was highly applauded. All the riders experienced strong head winds, and on the Victorian side of the Murray the roads were very bud. Under the circumstances, the average specd — a trifle over fourteen miles an hour — was good. Those w ho believe in the heredity principle in athletics will find their theory unsubstantiated in regard to the two younger brothers ot Prince Ranjitsinhji. These youngsters, who are at present in England completing their education, have no pretensions to being cricketers. So little do they resemble their elder brother that it is only with im-at difficulty they can be persuaded to engage in any outdoor game at all. Their chief amusement in the summer is boating, but even at this they are by no means adepts. Though they inherit none of their elder brother's athletic qualities they are nevertheless extremely keen about his success, and take a lively interest in all the matches in w hich he is engaged. An Improved Cricket Hat. — Four months ago Mr. E. Sefton, of Xevv Brighton, applied lor a patent for an improved cricket bat. He lias since received a cheque of UtO.OOOdoR (C 20,000) for the American rights from a large manufacturing firm who have made and tesUtl the specimens.

Dr. Trwin, Li Hung Chang's physician, is a genial and talented Irishman. Just as lie left Net ley eighteen years ago he heard of a good opening tor a doctor at Tien-T.sin. .so he went there. In IS7l> lie was called in to attend a serious case in the Imperial Yamen. His patient recovered, and he was appointed chief physician to the Viceroy and the Viceroy's family, and ever since his lot has been a prosperous one. The doctor's, home at Tien-Tsin. we may add. is called Shamrock Lodge.