THE CYCLISTS' ALLIANCE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9815, 26 August 1897, Page 6

THE CYCLISTS' ALLIANCE.

THE AMALGAMATION SCHEME.

A special general meeting of the New Zealand Cyclists' Alliance was held at the City Hotel last night. Mr W. J. S. Hayward occupied the chair. There were also present —Messrs F. J. Dunn (Pioneer), T, Kerr (Dunedin), F. R. Dunsford and J. H. Parker (Otago), R. T. Lees and W. Sneddon (Ashburton), D. Sutherland and F. Denley (Invercargill), T. Hunter (Oxford), B. P. Gully (Nelson), G. E. Good and J. C. Cusack (Wanderers) and J. Manhire (Waimate).

Apologies for absence were received from Messrs M. S. Brown, G. Rankin, W. E. Mills and K. V. England. The Secretary read the copy of a letter he had sent to the Athletic Association concerning the performances of an amateur, aud he added a postscript founded on information subsequently received by him, which practically contradicted the body of the letter.

A motion censuring the Secretary for hia action was negatived on a show of hands. A letter was read from the New Zealand League of Wheelmen inviting three delegates to be present at a general meeting to be held on September 3rd to discuss the City Council by-laws and other matters relating to cyclists. Messrs Den by, Parker and Dunn were appointed delegates from the Alliance. A. letter was read from a number of cyclists upholding the scheme for amalgamation brought up by some of the Alliance delegates, and stating that unless something were done they would take the matter up themselves.

Mr Dunsford reported the result of the Conference of the Alliance and League of Wheelmen delegates. Mr Sutherland explained with the previous speaker that the rules were open to alteration by the Alliance. He deprecating the Alliance deciding for or against amalgamation until the Clubs interested had an opportunity of considering the proposals. Mr Parker supported this view. The meetiDg then proceeded to discuss the scheme for amalgamation. The title "League of New Zealand Cyclists" was adopted. On the quedtion of voting, the clause was amended to provide that the voting power of the delegate should be 1 vote for 50 membere, 2 votes for 100, and 3 votes over 100; 3 votes to be the maximum. In rulo 2 an alteration was made providing for unattached cyclists, being cyclists residing outside a radius of ten miles from any Clnb. In the amateur definition the words referring to the holding of a license from the League were struck out, except in clause c. In sub-clause b the words "is not an amateur under" were substituted. After note a, note b was added "That no cycle manufacturer, agent, or any other parson shall give prizes or rewards except in open competition." Note c— "That an amateur cyclist having broken his status shall not be granted a cash licence until twelve months have elapsed from the time of his breaking such status." In the amateur prize rules the words " and shall be engraved with the winner's name, &c, before presentation," were struck out. " Musical instruments" were included among the trophies. In the cash definition the words " where permission is granted," were struck out, and "at a meeting specially sanctioned" were substituted. In cash prizes the word "given" was altered to " taken."

The other rules as recommended were agreed to, and the following added :—" A Committee of six, to be called the Executive, shall be elected from the delegates at the annual general meeting. It shall consist of three delegates highest on the ballot, representing the Cash Clubs, and three highest on the ballot representing the Amateur Clabs, each member of the Executive to be Chairman, Cash and Amateur alternating. ,.

The rules of constitution as amended were returned to the delegates for reference to the Conference of representatives from both bodies.

It was understood that as the business could not possibly be ready for the annual meeting of the Alliance on September Bth, the meeting should be opened on that date, and adjourned until the 15th.

The proceedings then closed.