PROFESSOR ROLLINSON.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1888, 5 November 1888, Page 2

PROFESSOR ROLLINSON.

There was a very good attendance at the Rink de Paris on Saturday evening, to witness the performance of Professor Rollinßon, the King of the Wheel The Professor was born at Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England, m 1857, and, as a yoong man, gained a great reputation for himself as an athlete, besides being one of the ploneorß of bicycling In Great Britain. One of hia greatest achievements daring hia Amerioan tout, waa a matoh agalrmt a three minute "gait" horse, for 158dola. a Bide, one mile, which, after an exciting straggle, he won In the remarkable time time of 3mlna. belug the fastest time for that dlatanoe at that time In America; In addition to holding Boveral records and counties pra^B, Professor Rollinaon holds a medal, m the shape of a golden bicycle, with a diamond hub, won by him as Champion of the World, at Albaoy, New York, against all comers, for faat, alow, fancy, and trick riding, Shortly after nine o'olook, the Professor appeared on the floor, and went through an exhibition of fanoy and trick rfding, doing a great variety of trioks and p fiturea, seeming perfectly at home, whother liding sideways, lying on his baok, standing on the scat, or balanpjng o,n one wheel, finlahlng thla part of his pan formance by dropping a pocket handkerchief on the floor while going at a good paoe, dismounting, picking up the handkerchief, nnd remounting before the bicycle had gone a ya f d. After a brlsf Interval, Professor Rollinaon appeared In his burlesque aot, entitled, " A Masher's Troubles m Learning to Ride." This aot Is exouotatlogly funny, and most be seen to be appreciated The bicycle, to a learnor, la a very difficult maohine to mount, and so It seemed to the Professor, bot, with the aid of a chair, he managed to accomplish ihls, only to go over the handles on to his head. He must oertainl) be a wonder, as, after falls that would kill an ordinary mortal, he bobbed ap serenely with • mirth-provoking hop, and went on with his ondeavoq?g to mount. After numerous falls, nnd funny situations, he got a good a tart, and gave a very langhable exhibition of the masher racing, finishing up his performance by a starting fall through a window, about five feet from the ground, The applause throughout was hearty and frequent, and testified to the merits of the performer. Professor Rolll | Q » oa wIH give auother exhibition of riding thla evening, when an entirely new programme will bo performed, Introducing new and lUrtllDg tricks. We would advise all who were not present on Saturday night, not to lose the opportunity of seeing perkapn the cleverest performance on the wheel seen In New Zealand.