Athletics

MANAGEMENT OF MEETINGS. 21 profit). As a first step, acommittee meeting ought to be called, and a smart pushing member elected hon. sec., with an assistant as hon. treasurer. As nearly the whole burden of the sports will rest on his shoulders, the hon. sec. should always be capable andhave a good knowledge of all-round sport. Even if an establishedclub is running the sports (presuming it is a new fixture), there is nothing like getting a strong list of supporters. Ask the most influential man in the place to be president, thenseveral of the nextin consequence as vice-presidents; it is a good way of baiting the subscription trap. A good working committee must be appointed, who will assist the hon. treasurer in canvassing for support and subscriptions. A small deputation ofthree members waitingon the leading tradesmen and inhabitants has infinitely more effect than only one going; but the way should have been paved by the distribution of a nicely got upand well-worded circular, setting forththe aims, objects, and advantages of the sports, and that the committee desire to make them "worthy of the town," etc. These preliminary steps ought to be taken at least three months before theproposed date of the sports, though the writer remembersonce carryingout a most successful swim­ ming meeting—the firstever held in Ireland—in, from the initial suggestionto the fulfilment, ten days. As soon asthe idea has taken shape, if the promoting body is not already affiliated, application must be made to the Amateur Athletic Association (10,John Street, Strand, London) for athletics, and to the National Cyclists' Union (57,Basinghall Street, London, E.G.) for the cycle sideof the programme. This is of course absolutely essential,as no sports, either athletic or cycling, can be held unless authorized by a permit or license from the respective governing bodies. Not only