December 17, 1896.]
"POOL,"
The above players also entered for the Pool, Logether with
Mr. CH Grace Mr. C. A. Tomes
16 entries.
103 12 91 105 11 94
ROYAL HONGKONG YACHT CLUB.
FOURTH CLUB race.
This race was sailed in very poor weather and resulted in a walk-over for first place, but a good and rather exciting race for second place. The course was from the usual starting line, round Kowloon rock, Channel rocks, dinghy off pier, leaving all to starboard (twice round); 18 miles. The following boats in the first
class-went over to the line to start-
Activ... Meteor
Mr. H. E. Pollock,
Mr. T. W. Lammert.
Princess
Mr. Jas. McKie.
Maid Marian
Mr. J. Hastings.
Phoebe
Erica
Sybil
Chanticleer
Mr. F. H. May. Mr. A. Denison. Officers, R.E. Mr. C. A. Tomes,
And in the second class —
Dart
Payne
She
...
**
Dr. Clarke. Officers, R.E.
Mr. E. M. Hazeland. Capt. Phillips. Capt. Long,
Eileen... Seabreeze When the gun went at 11.15 there was a very light. east wind, but this died away a few minutes after. Many of the boats had not been able to get over to the line before the gun went and for about half an hour the fleet might be seen at anchor all over the harbour, some half a mile to the south and others the same distance to the west of the starting line. At a little before 12 the Phoebe, Sybil, and Meteor caught a light wind from the east and started beating up towards Blackhead's Point, beyond which there was a steady breeze. The Phoebe went away from the other two and got about an hour's lead round the point and had a sail over to herself and came in an easy winner. Sybil and Meteor kept pegging away against the flood tide, getting very little to windward each tack. In the meantime Erica, which had been at anchor near the P. & O. buoy, was observed to make a tack towards. Yaumati, as though going for a cruise, but shortly after appeared round Taim-tea-tsui Point close up to the Praya wall, and by getting into the small bay off Millar's Point crept up to within a few fathoms of Sybil and Meteor, but was not able to clear Blackhead's Point for some minutes after them. Then a race began between these three. The times round the Kowloon rocks were follows: Phoebe 12.44.50, Sybil 1.42.2. Meteor 1.43.10, Erica 1.46.35, Maid Marian 2.36.10. The Maid gave up after the first round. A short beat in a good breeze brought the boats to Channel Rocks, when the times were Phoebe 1.12.30, Meteor and Sybil 2.6.0, Erica 2.10.14, Maid Marian 3.05.0. In the run down to the mark boat the Meteor got in front of Sybil and the times here were-Phoebe 1.51.05, Meteor 2.41.5, Sybil 2.44.15, Erica, 2.47.17: The wind off Kowloon was about north-west and Erica, Sybil, and Meteor all closed up on the leaders of the second class, which had not gone very far on their first round, and off the Dock point there were five boats within a circle of 50 yards radius. Erica came away first into a light east wind, followed by. Sybil, and after a reach Kowloon rock was rounded as follows Phoebe, alone, at 3.7.2, then Erica 3.55.25, Sybil 8.56.30, Payne 3.57.15, Meteor 3.57.40, Dart 9.55.30. All the rest of the second class gave up about this time. A best in light weather and Channel rocks were passed by Phoebe at 3.4145, Erica 4.17.0, Meteor 4.19.39, Sybil 4.20.20, Payne 4.22.11, and Dart 4.25.28. In the run down to the line Meteor and Sybil had luffing match, by which they last a considerable distance, and the line was crossed in almost a flat calm as follows:
as
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
26
CORRESPONDENCE.
[We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]
AMERICAN AND ENGLISH -
BICYCLES.
"#
11
TO THE EDITOR OF THE. "DAILY PRESS." DEAR SIE,-In your issue of the 9th you publish a letter enquiring as to the truth of To-day's hostile criticism of American bicycles. To-day can hardly be taken as an authority on oroling matters; its remarks on cycling were being held up to ridicule in the cycling papers a few months ago, and they themselves are generally considered to be too much in the hands of advertisers. American machines were freely praised in Cycling of a few mails back and also freely slated by later correspondents. The extract from To-day is apparently intended to apply to all American machines, but the word cheap appears once, also the price is quoted at £15. Now the American machines that were known at home this summer were the Crescent Cleveland, and Columbia (others appeared later),. and the net price of these was from £20 to £23.within a few shillings (the Crescent had a second grade at £15). For these machines com- parison was challenged with English machines of £30 (net), and respective views were generally guided by respective fads. (All American oyoles in England were fitted with wood rims, that and lightness being their chief distinctions, and wood rims were not in favour in England), There are several English makers who turn out machines that are above reproach, and un- doubtedly the same remark applies to American and French (Gladiator) machines, but in com. paring their virtues you must compare their prices, not contrast a £f American with a £30 English. The whole question of a good or a bad machine depends upon the price; only the novice expects to combine a low price and a good machine in England, and £5 saved under £20 is usually £10 wasted. It is not only American machines that collapse. The Cyclists' Touring Club Gazette for September contains a letter from a veteran cyclist on a second grade English machine costing £17 complete, and weighing 401hs. (which, in view of the weight, he believed would be reliable, as heavy machines can be turned out cheaper), which rapidly fell to bits.
The great point claimed for American cycles is their lightness, but 24lbs. generally comes out 271bs. at least on the scales, and to achieve this lightness tiny pedals, light cranks, and probably ineffectual mud guards are used, with a narrow chain and diminished clearance (so no gear case). Lightness has been the craze of late, but in actual use a machine of over 30 lbs. gives greater satisfaction than one 5 lbs. lighter. A thoroughbred does not make a good hack; why expect a machine of, or approaching to, racing weight to be a good roadster ? It is not a question of strength. A 22 lbs. English machine is strong enough for any fair treatment on the road, but it will show what vibration is, and the rider will waste more power than would have driven a 30 lbs. cycle in comfort. A difference of.4 lbs. in weight of a machine can be made in the saddle and pedals alone.
But cycling in Hongkong is on a different basis to England. There is the heat and its effect on tyres. (The sun on a hard blown tyre can burst it). American machines generally have the tyres cemented on to the rims (wood rims seem to be on all fours. with steel, so long as non-detachable tyres are used), but my belief is that the cement is liable to give in the heat. (That has happened to an American machine of mine.) The tyre then works round and pro- bably the valve is torn out before the mischief is discovered. Another thing to be avoided is the single tube tyre often seen on American wheels, as if a puncture does occur it has to be plugged from the outside and sooner or later that plug blows out. The American Morgan and Wright quick repair tyre is an excellent one (but is cemented to rim). I dislike Dunlops for wear, but as they are easy to repair and keep in order they are probably the best to have out here, especially as the Company brought out a “tropical” tube in July last specially for the In the second class only two boats completed East, though on my going to enquire about them they advised me to keep the ones I had,
rica
Phobe 4.44.35 First 10 marks 5.11.44 Second 4 marks Sybil 5.17.42 Third 1 mark Meteor 5.25.4
one round
479
saying they had never had any complaints as to their holding in India. Some other tyre samples I had for the sake of the mending rubber rotted at once from the heat. The question of repairs in Hongkong is also a serious one. A low priced machine is for ever going wrong and if a cycle gets into an ordinary mechanic's hands its last state is pretty certain to be worse than its first. In Hongkong it is not a question of tours, but of short rides. over, I understand, fairly good and level roads (the Happy Valley and Shaukiwan are the only ones I have cycled on), and for such conditions any machine will do. But the difference in motion between a good and an indifferent machine is the same as between a free moving horse and a slug. A low priced machine may run easily to begin with, but it probably does not keep it up for over its first 100 miles. Cycling is a pleasure or a toil according to the machine, and a high grade cycle would be a revelation to anyone accustomed to a poor one, and though expensive to begin with it will probably have cost less at the end of a year. In cycles, indeed, the best is cheapest irrespective of its nationality
I bought my own machine (English), after much trouble, with a view to having one which would not go wrong when out here, and after some 3,000 miles over every variety of English roads and it was always used hard, not saved
it is as good as the day it was made, for all riding purposes, while in spite of mud guards, break, and gear case it always runs absolutely silent. (Cost £28 net).
This is too long a letter already, but I shall be very pleased to give anyone hints on machines or to put them in the way of getting a good one from England. «.
10th December, 1896.
THE
C. T. C.
COUNCIL MEETING AND THE
HON. FRANCIS H. MAY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS.” this morning I felt sorry that you did not feel DEAR SIR, When reading your article of able entirely to support the Captain Superin- tendent of Police in the position which he took on Monday last. It is always "well to be zea- lously affected in a good thing," and in Mr. May we have an enthusiast in his office, which is one of the most important in the colony. I cor- dially agree with you in commending Mr. May's independence, and consider that were the officials, in whom, as a body, the public have a good deal of confidence, allowed a little more liberty, and were the permission to speak and vote according to their individual opinions, which has been occasionally given by the Governor, the rule instead of the exception, it would go a long way towards satisfying those who clamour for popular representation in the Council. hon. gentleman had objected to the outlay of It might have been more to the point if the half a million of dollars upon public offices whilst the police constables are housed in unwholesome quarters. Mr. May has asked for another station at West Point, to supply the place of that which has been appropriated as a hospital. He has also made repeated re- presentations as to the unsuitability of No. 9 Station in Caine Road for Europeans during the summer months. There is no upstairs floor, and it was naturally thought that, after the death which occurred there lately under very sad circumstances, something would immediately have been done. If the urgent representations of the head of a department are ignored,' 'what course is open to him except that adopted by the Hon. F. H. May? The fact of a good deal of sickness during the hot weather among the British portion of the police force calls, I think, for investigation, to see what part of this is preventible. Yours faithfully,******
RATEPAYER.
Hongkong, 9th December, 1896.
We Japan Gazette) understand that on the occasion of the visit of the Empress to Yokosuka, for the purpose of oting the Chinyen, Her Majesty requested the Japanese Admiral to liberate all naval prisoners. flagship Grafton being in dock at the time, a similar request Admiral Oxley, who of course accede
to: