LEAGUE OF NEW ZEALAND WHEELMEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2273, 23 September 1897, Page 37

LEAGUE OF NEW ZEALAND WHEELMEN.

A special general meeting of the League of New Zealand Wheelm»n was held at Christchurch on tha 14th inst.

A number of alterations in the rules were made.

The Chairman said that at the conference re amalgamation it had been agreed upon that the two classes cf ride 3 -hould not compete in the s»ma events. Not oue of the alliance man had offev»d »ny objection to this. The next question wai the forming of an executive. He coasidernd the sch«iue contiaued unassailable. Since the scheme had b*en brought forward it had met with favour all round. An article had appeared ia th« Wheelman which stated that ' the league were trying to till pure amateurism. He co»»idere«* the article waa quite undeserved, and kad net ba»i* in fact. Cycling w*s so expensive tkat a racing man was entitled to take hia prize money in any way he chose. But if be wished to be an amateur he must keop strictly to the amateur drfinitiou.

Mr Pannell moved— "That the league is in favour of tbe scheme of amalgamation as brought down by the conference." He would like to poi»t out that the league skeuld, in tho interests »f sport, vot«* for the amalgamation. He endorsed the chairman's lemarks as regarded the action of the alliance delegate*. Mr Milne seconded the motion on behalf ef h's club, which he s»id was strong ou the »m»t»ur d*-finit*on. His club thought no rider should t*ke a bicycle or cash in any form from a cycl* maker.

Mr Kirk endowed tho action of the delegates.Mr Atack aaid in Kngland and America the amalgamation had met with success. Anmteuriim in -France was in a moribund state, while ca«h cjcling was flourishing. He adversely criticised ths action cf tbe Pioneer delegates. At ths Pioneer meeting anyone would think on roarfirij the report that the league were a lot of grabbers. fTtt would like to point out a contrast between the state of things iv ragland and Am»ririabef«rc aud after amalgamation, which had improved vastly since the latter state of thing* had b«een ia vogue. The Pioneer Club had approacked the question in the wrong spirit. Mr Lathaby was in favour/ of the aaotiem. Several other alliance clubs than the Piomear were in favour of ifc.

Mr William* said he had been instructed t« vote u gainst amalgamation. Mr Cl&rkson was in favour of the motion. To vote in favour of it was the natural corollary of their former positiau, and would show they it ft t<f whole-hearted in the matter.

The motion was carried by 20 to 4. Mr Atack movid and Mr Cotton seconded — "That this league approves unanimou*ly of the action taken br the delegates appointed t© conf«r with the alliance delegates on the question *faroalgamation." The motion w*s carried. Mr AUck moved and Mr Pannell seconded— "That in the event of the scheme for amalgamation asdrawn up by the representatives of the league and the alHa»ce net being accepted by the latter •body, tke matter be left to the discretion of th» league's representatives to take »uch steps at they may deem »ecetsary in tbe league's Uterest." Mr Lethaby raorcd as aa amendment—"Thatthe word 'executive' be inserted instead of ' representatives.' " The amendment was carried.

Mr Kirk moved — " That this le»Kue approves unanimously of the delpc&tes appointed to confer with the alliaixc« delegate! on the question of amalgaiaaliow.''— Carried.

Mr Carr gave notice to more— "That official huadicippers be paid an honorarium at a minimum rate of £1 Is per Meeting, the club for whom tbey handicap to pay lueh honorarium." ,

Great pr6par»tions are being made for tin* niag whitebait on the West Coast this season. Two well equipped parties are now at Grey« month ready for businesi, and there is anothef at Hekitika, aad oo«_6t Wertport. Tfcs ftsjj Mt bomoc as jeb.