Athletics

HISTORICAL. in the kingdom, and each year special prizes werepresented by Lord and LadyLurgan for level races—a mile run and three mileswalk—on the condition that they were " open to all, except professionals." They attractedthe best men in the United Kingdom. Need was soon felt for a more definite governing body. Cycling tookunto itself a " head " in 1878, by the formation of the Bicycle Union,and a most absurb definition of an amateur; but it was the first governing body to sweep away the "mechanic " clause. In the following year, 1879, the Northern Counties Amateur Athletic Association was formed, to check the many abuses which ad grown up in the district. In fact, so serious had these become—and even co tinued at a much later date—that at some sports amateurs were handedmoney in a cup; the prize-winner pocketed the cash, and handed back the cup for the next man to receive his share. We have also heard aprominent Liverpool athlete speak of a sportsmanlike competitor somewhat as follows :—"Brown ?— oh yes ; he's a decent fellow, but a bitsoft, you know, a bit soft; he always triesto win." In the Midland counties things werenearly asbad; but a purer and higher tone fortunately prevailed in the south. Even here,however, theneed of a representative governing body was much felt, and general dissatisfaction was expressed at the conduct of the championships. - This took a practical form in 1879, when at the A.A.C. championship, which came, as usual, onthe heels of the Inter-'Varsitymeeting (7April), when there were only twenty-five competitorsfor the eleven events • out of these, seventeen were 'Varsity men. Two events were walk overs. This brought matters to a crisis, and the L.A.C. and other clubs promoted a rival championship meeting which came off at Stamford Bridge on 14 June, c