Cycling.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 78, 28 December 1901, Page 19

Cycling.

Cycling, a* far as racing is concerned, is practically dead in Wellington. The Druids, whose nominations closed on Fndav night, dad not receive much encouragement from cyclists, the entries totalling about ten in the bicycle events. This seems strange, too, when it is remembered that the Wellington Cycling Club has a; membership of something over two hundred members, yet, from the nominations received by sports promtoers, not I was going to say one hundred per cent, of its members are racing men. The club, if it is to fulfil the object of its inauguration , should see that the sports promoters in the towns, at least, receive more encouragement from its members, and prevent, if possible the removal of cycling events altogether from the programmes of sports held in Wellington Granted they may be seceding from the League of Wheelmen yet that is no reason why cycling race* should be al-

lowed to chop altogether. The position, to 1113 mmd, i& a serious, one, hence the comment. Madame MeJba is veiy fond of motoring. She is bringing a fine motor car, worth £1000, out to Australia with her next spring. It has come to be said that it is a. bad day w lien Bill Martin does not cleai expenses The first day of the Austral meeting must have been indeed bad foi him, in that he did not score a windmmg the whole day's racing, and was mulcted to the tune of £2 for closing 111 upon Walker m the final of the Commonwealth Stakes. The inventor of the safety bicycle, Mr J R Starley, died recently in EngIdnd The deceased gentleman, who paid a flying visit to the Australian States a few ears back, was the foundei and managing director of the Rover Cycle Company. Admuers of Don Walker, who rode splendidly at the opening day of the Austral meeting, can obtain, a fine photograph illustration of that clever pedaJler by sending to the Dunlop Tyre Company's depot for a copy of their artistic racing souvenir Splendid photographs of J Megson, the Sydney champion. Andy Ralston and Gr. Sutherland, of New Zealand, and E. Wilksch, of South Australia, are also included in the pretty foldei, which is well worth obtaining. Young Charlie Messenger, of Double Bay, Sydney, will go to England early next year He ought to be able to add something to the sculling fame of the family on the Thames and in New South Wales. Nine of the famous Native Football Team, which toured New Zealand, Australia, and England, with such great success in 1888 and 1889 are dead, the remainder are scattered over the North and South Islands between the Three Kings and the Bluff