LEAGUE OF NEW ZEALAND CYCLISTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9814, 25 August 1897, Page 3

LEAGUE OF NEW ZEALAND CYCLISTS.

A final meeting of the representatives appointed by the League of New Zealand Wheelmen and New Zealand Cyclists' Alliance was held on Monday, when the following basis of constitution was agreed upon :— (1) That the two bodies, as at present constituted, disband, and re-organise under the designation of " League of New Zealand Cyclists."

(2) That each affiliated financial Club of both " League " and " Alliance " be entitled to send one delegate to a meeting to be held at Christchurch on Wednesday, September 22nd, 1897, for the purpose of adopting the undermentioned constitution.

(3) That only such affiliated Clubs as shall have paid chi capitation to their existing governing bodies before August 31st, 1897, be entitled to a delegate or vote.

Rules as follows were agreed to :— Constitution.—(l) This organisation shall bo known as the " League ot New Zealand Cyclists." (2) The League shall oonsist oi all such Cycling Clubs and unattached cyclists who are willing and eligible to join it. (3) The members of the League shall oonsist of two classes, viz., "Amateur" and " Cash."

Amateur Definition.—An amateur is one who is the holder of an amateur license from this League, and who has:—(a) Never engaged in, nor assisted in, nor taught any cycling exercise for money or other remuneration, (b) Never knowingly competed with or against a person who does not hold a license under the amateur definition of this League, for a prize of any description, or in any cycle event in public (except at a meeting specially sanctioned by the League), (c) Never made pace foe, or bean paced by, a person who does not hold a license under the amateur definition of this League, or person under suspension. (d) Never Bold, realised upon, or otherwise converted into cash any prize won by him. (c) Never accepted, directly or indirectly, any remuneration, compensation, or expenses whatever from any cycle manufacturer, agent, sports promoter, or other person interested in the trade or sport, for cycle riding, except where special permission is granted by the League. Note.—-A cyclist does not become ineligible by teaching the elements of cycling solely for the purpose of effecting the sale or th» machine.

Amateur Prizes. —- All winners under amateur definition shall accept trophies only, in accordance with rules hereinafter mentioned. All trophies must he of ths value represented, and shall be engraved with the winner's name, &0., before presetttation. Trophies shall consist of plate, jewellery, works of art, and other articles of alike nature. Bieyoles and oxjce-soriea are excluded. The. Executive may, at any time, call upon any racing man to show all prizes won by hira under the League, without giving any reason for so doing. The winner of a challenge prize must, if required, give a guarantee for its return. The rules and conditions governing a challenge cup (or any trophy for a cycling contest which has to be won more than once) cannot be altered without the consent of the holder, or of the majority of tho holders having a claim to it, provided that he is, or they are, still eligible to'compete for it. The League may accept prizes for competition under special conditions, but they shall be open for competition by all members of the olaas for which they are intended. .

Cash definition.—A cyclist ceases to be eligible to ride under the cash definition by:— (a) Engaging in cycle racing, or training or coaching any person therein as a means of obtaining a livelihood, or competing against any person who does hot hold a license under the cash definition oV this League, excepting where special permission is granted by the League.

Cash Prizes—Cash or trophies may be given at winner's option, except in the case of special prizes. All trophies must be ,of the value represented. (Rules regarding challenge trophies same as in amateur class.) Registration of Racing Men—All racing members of the League shall register their names and their racing colours with the Secretary oli the League, who shall send to affiliated Clubs a list of such registrations. Registration fee, 23 6d. Each persoa so registering shall receive a license. ' Competitors must register one of the colours in the League colour book "as"the colours in whioh they intend to race. (Available colours are specified.) The administration of racing rules will be similar to that now in vogue by the National Cyclists' Union and the League of Victorian Wheelmen. The Cyclists' Alliance meet this evening to consider these conditions, and the League of New Zealand Wheelmen meet on September 15th. As stated above, the two bodies meet on September 22nd to draw up a final constitution.