ON TWO WHEELS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 202, 15 November 1927, Page 7

ON TWO WHEELS

NEWS AND NOTES SPORTS MOTOR-CYCLE CLUB On Sunday the committee and several members left the Harp of Erin for a secluded beach at Mangere, {Which had been reported as suitable for motor-cycle sports. On inspection it was found that the surface held too much water to be entirely suitable for this purpose. Later, racing practice was engaged in at Mangere Speedway on a track approximately one third of a mile round. Plenty of sport and some good riding was witnessed. There were 14 competitors and the following is the result of the threemile race of 10 laps:— First Heat.—K. Yeates (Rex), smin. 10 l-ssec. Second Heat. —K. McLaren (Harley), omin. 0 l-ssec. Third Heat. —R. Good (Rex), smin. 6 l-ssec. Final.—lv. McLaren, smin 12 2-ssec. McLaren had established a good lead when his machine skidded and he came off, but he was able to remount and finish in first position. He also registered the fastest lap time, 28sec. SPORTS CLUB DANCE The club dance, which was held last week in St. Sepulchre’s Hall, was a big success, over 10 couples being present. The women members of the club had tastefully decorated the hall and the supper tables. Dance numbers were supplied by Birkley’s orchestra, and extras were given by the Aloha Hawaiians. All present thoroughly enjoyed themselves. * * * PILLION-RIDING A national system of motor regulation is to be inaugurated, if possible, before the Christmas holiday traffic commences. The draft regulations are to be circulated immediately by the Public Works Department to local bodies and motorists’ associations, who are invited to forward suggestions by December 1 to the Under-Secretary. The regulations propose to legalise pillion riding on motor-cycles, though no person shall ride on a motor-cycle without a sidecar attached in any other position than seated astride of the machine and facing forward. Passenger loads are limited, being two for motor-cycles and four where a sidecar is attached. The motor-cyclists of Christchurch are seeking a repeal of a by-law of that city which forbids pillion-riding. A week ago a deputation waited on the Christchurch City Council to ask that the by-law be wiped out. Mr. G. Lambert, giving evidence on behalf of the Pioneer Motor-Cycle Club, gave his personal opinion, based on the experience of several thousands of miles of motor-cycling, that pillionriding was safe. He quoted authorities and experiments in support of this contention and pointed out that a form of motoring that was considered safe in most parts of the world, including

other portions of New Zealand, was surely safe in Christchurch. lie suggested that City Councillors come along for a demonstration of the safety of pillion-riding, which could be given at a reliability trial on November 19. The Mayor, the Rev. J. K. Archer, suggested that Mr. Lambert should summarise his evidence on the subject and send a copy of his summary to each member of the council. The application was referred to the By-laws Committee. * * * HAMILTON HILL-CLIMB The Hamilton Motor-Cycle Club is holding its hill-climb on Sunday, November 20. Sports club members will assemble at the Harp of Erin on Saturday at 2 p.m. for the run through to Hamilton. It is reported that a large number of entries have been received, so that a good day’s sports is assured. Cabling from Mendoza, South America on November 11, Messrs. Catherick and Castley, the B.S.A. world motorcycle tourists, who were here recently advise:—• “Very successful Andes crossing; first side-cars to complete it under own power; no mechanical trouble; greetings New Zealand friends.’ ’