ANNUAL MEETING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6305, 27 September 1898, Page 4

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual general meeting of delegates to the League was held at eight o'clock. Sixty delegates were present, and Mr W. E. Thompson presided. , A number of spectators also attended. The report and balance-sheet were taken as read, and adopted. The repoit was as follows: — ■■■*.'. xx.- -i. The executive, m presenting this its sixth annual report, has to congratulate the members of the League on the very. great progress made by this body during the past year. Tlio growth has bpen unprecedented in the history of Sports Associations in the colony ; it is due in great part to the thorr uglily popular nature of the sport and the vitality of League members, The earnestness of the League's desire to cater for pure amateurism was evidenced by the running of a full set of amateur championships at the Dmiedin Championship Meeting ; the success of the efforts was evidenced by the highly satisfactory nature of the entry. Detailed and accurate reports having been regularly furnished in the official crgan, the executive deems it unnecessary to do more than touch upon the most important points. Amalgamation.— The amalgamation scheme (the proposition of the Cyclists' Alliance) on the tapis at the date of the last annual report, was finally rejected by tlie Alliance. General dissatisfaction; was shown at, this step by most of the Alliance clubs, a large number of which have since joined the League. Finance. — The finances of the League are in a thoroughly healthy and satisfactory condition, which the comparatively sniall credit balance shown does not adequately represent. Large expenses have been incurred in the extension of the League's sphere cf operations. Membership. — 'l'Jie roll now stands at fifty-nine clubs, an increase of thirty during the year. The approximate number of League wheelmen jis 4000. Championship Meeting 1 . — This, the first of such meetings under League supervision, was held in Dunedin on March 24 and 26, and was admittedly the finest exhibition of cycle racing ever given in the colony ; greater' financial success would have been achieved but for inclement weather on the second day. Half-mile Amateur Championship, J. S. White (Dunedin), lmin 9 l-ssec ; One-mile Amateur Championship, J. S. White (Dunedin) 2min 38sec; Three-mile Amateur Championship, L. J. Lloyd (Christ church), Bmin 6 2-ssec ; Five-mile Amateur. Championship, J. S. White (Dunedin), 13min 28sec; Ten-mile Amateur Championship, J. S. White (Dunedin), 29min 25sec ; Half-mile Cash Championship, E. Reynolds (Auckland), lmin 22 3-ssec; One-mile Cash Championship, G. Sutherland (Christchurqh), 2min 28sec • Three-mile Cash. Championship, G. A. Maxwell (Dunedin), Bmin 16 4-ssecj Fivemile Cash Championship), G. Sutherland (Chnstchurch), 12min 40seo; Ten-mile Cash Championship, G. Sutherland (Christchurch), 25min 51 3-ssec. The Royal Enfield Challenge Cup, valued at £75 presented by the Enfield Manufacturing Com-' pany, England, for annual competition in a five-mile scratch event, is now held by George Sutherland of the Christchurch C.C. Agreements—The League has added with the National Cyclists' Union, the controlling body of cycling in England. Amateur Athletics. — The League suggested to the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club the advisability ci adding League races to its programmes The Athletic Association, however, refused the club permission for snch a course. Affiliation.— The executive Jnt representatives to interview the OtS and 2Selson cyclists, and the fol lowing Clubs have been affiliated during past seasons : —Tapanui, Amberlev Rovers, New Plymouth, Alexandra, Otago Roxburgh, Vincent, Invercargill Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, Dunedin, Lawrence, Reliance Athletic and Cycling Club Middlemarch Rovers, Star, Westport Ma taura, West Taieri, Gore, Otago Railway" Petone-Hutt, Wyndham, Balclutha? Set mston, Huntley, Stratford, Wanderers' (Napier) .Nelson Amateur Cycling and Athletic Club, Wanganui Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, Thames Pioneer, Waitemata Oxford. North Island League-Statemento having been circulated to the effect that there was a movement on foot to form a JNortn island League, the executive inquired into the matter, with the result that the only club apparently concerned ivas found to be the Wanganui and West Coast Cycling Chib, which admitted having sent out a feeler to other clubs on the Question of a North' Island executive. The club was censured. Rules— The rules have been carefully revised up to date, provision having been made for numerous contingencies that have arisen during the season. Some important points dealt with in the alterations and amendments are: Amateur definition, class racing, colour and number registration, consuls, qualifications of delegates, track advertising. The Trade and the Lea<me— The question of the relation of the trade and the League has been the subject of long and earnest consideration. The executive's decision in barring trade clubs and trade delegates has received the unanimous support of the clubs, as being the only course in the interests of sport. The appropriation of complete sets of colours by firms has been vetoed. Racing Circuits — A scheme has been drafted for the provision of racing circuits, whereby clubs may obtain the best racing men. Racing fixtures are prevented from clashing, and the interests of clubs are likely to be greatly promoted. Touring — As the League has, besides its racing members, a large number of non-racing men, a scheme is on foot whereby the interests of these latter may be conserved, e.g., in the direction of touring facilities, members' tickets, League hotels, etc. A separate executive for this department has been suggested. General — The executive has vigorously opposed the proposed Cycle Traffic Bill as being a measure injuriously affecting the majority of League " members. This petition, circulated by the executive and placed before the House, was instrumental in bringing about the shelving of the Bill. A very large

amount <*£ routine business, such as granting persaits, passing records, etc., has been transacted at the Aveekly meetings of the ; executive. • ! The balance-sheet showed "receipts £561 15s 9d, and expenditure £5Q3 2s 2d, leavißg a credit balance of £133 13s 7d. The assets amounted to £38 13s, and there were no liabilities. Glubs' subscriptions amounted *o £67 14s, sports promoters' fees to. £27 108 6d, licenses to £60 ,13s 6d, and receipts from championship meeting to £384 5s 9d. The expenditure side of the balance-sheet showed tl&e following Stems: — Championship meeting £342 19s 7d, secretary's salary £58 10s, advertising, printing and .stationery £33 15s Bd, postage and telegrams £26 2s lOd. The application for affiliation of the WelliTi'^ton C.C. was referred to the incoming executive. The Pioneer B.C.'s affiliation was allowed to stand, subject to its rules being made to conform with the League's rules. Mr G. Biltcliff moved to the effect that one delegate should be allowed to represent only one club. Mr Martin seconded the motion, which, after discussion, was lost. The "New Zealand Cyclist" was reappointed the official organ of the League. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: — President, Mr A. E. G. Rhodes ; vice-presidents, Messrs T. W. Stringer, R. Heaton Rhodes, J. J. Kinsey, T. G. Russell and F. Wilding; appeal council, Messrs T. W. Stringer, T. Cf. Russell, J. J. Kinsey, *W. E. Thompson and A. R. Kirk; executive, Messrs J. H. Tompkins (Thames), (x. E. Good (Napier). W. G. Atack (Randtikei)., A. R. Kirk <Reefton), W. G. Williams XAmberley), F. M'Kechnie (Dunedin), C. H. Cotton (Otago), W. E. Thompson (Christchurch) and W. Martin (Inyercargill).- - Mr Biltcliff moved— "That wherever the "term cycling trade occurs in, the League's rules it be taken to include persons connected with cycling newspapers.". Mr Bannerman seconded the motion, wliich was lost by 31 votes to 15. It was decided to allot tlie 1898-99 League championships to Wanganui. 'Several other notices of motion were held •over until an adjourned meeting, to be held tm Monday next. Tho Amberley Rovers Bicycle Clnb held several races on the Amberley Domain track on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of a good gathering of spectators. A silver cup, presented by Mr A. Petherbridge" for competition in three races, was woo by S. Frew, who gained first place in the Half-mile, Onn-mile and Two-mile « vents. J. Stan ton was second and F. Adams third. P. D. Hoare won a private race against J.Wilson, and W. Frew won the Half-mile race for spectators.