AAA Coming of Age Dinner

21 the two Universities, Oxfordand Cambridge, and we are pleased to see them, because in a great measuwree look to the Universities formany of our comingchampions. They have providedus with many in the past , and I have no doubt they will provide us with many in the future. Then we have members of the National Cyclists' Union here; and, my Lord Chairman, when I come to think it is quite ten years ago since some people prognosticated that the National Cyclists' Union and the A.A.A. would not work in harmonyfor six months ; but weare workingtogether and stil 1 hope to continue to workin harmony with them. We have the sport of rowing represented by Lieut . Fox, who wonthe Wingfield Sculls, and also by anothergentleman. Sir CHARLESLAWES. We have the A.G&. F.A. represented by Mr. A. F. JENKIN and the Swimming Association by Mr. PKAGNELL. We have also withus to-night many old champions, some of whom still help us in the work of the Association ; and last , but not least , we have many representatives of the Daily and Weekly Press, without whose reports of our work we should not be heard very much of. Well , gentlemen, to one and all of thesoeu, r visitors,on behalf of the Association I not only offer a most hearty welcome, but I also thank them for their attendance here to-night , for giving ustheir support at this Coming of Age Dinner of our Association, because their presence shows that they know the Association has endeavoured to do its work for the twenty-one years justly and honourably. It is getting rather late anId do not suppose you want to hear me speakfor very long, and therefore I will say now that out of all the array of names I have mentioned with this Toast there is one that I have the pleasure of coupling with it , and that is the Right . Hon. JESSE COLLINGS (cheers). Gentlemen, Icouple with this Toasthis name with great pleasure for two reasons; one is that for many years he has represented—and I think I may say worthily,—represented one of the divisions of my native city ; and I can also tell you in addition to that that in spite of the many callshe has on his services he has found time on more than one or two occasions to be present at a sports meeting in Birmingham on Saturday afternoon, and to distribute the prizes at that meeting. I am sure when we can get gentlemen of his position to give time to us, sports will continue to flourish. I will not detain you longer, but I ask you to join me most heartily and most sincerely in drinking the health of Our Visitors to-night , coupling with tihte name of Mr. JESSE COLLINGS." (Applause.) RESPONSE. THE RT. HON. JESSE COLLINGS: "Mr. President and Gentle- men, I feel it a great honour from whMatr. HOLMEShas stated that out of the great array of names amongst your visitors I have been selected to respond to this Toast , andit is an additional pleasure from the fact that Mr. HOLMESis a native of the best governed city in the world(laughter). I cannot claimto be among what I may call here the aristocracy of sport , but all my life 1 have been in a humble way a favourer of sport , anodne