Fifty Years of Progress 1880-1930

A.A.A. JUBILEE SOUVENIR Dinner. They expressed at the time their very grateful thanks to Sir Montague Shearman for this generous gift, which had made a lasting impression on their minds, and they intended to use every endeavour to carry out the scheme, though it was no doubt difficult of accomplishment. It was apparent to all of them, as it had been to Sir Montague, that it was rather a disgrace that this country, the home of Athletics, where they had carried on Championships for fifty years and held International Meetings, should not have a National ground for their athletic meetings. They earnestly hoped that Sir Montague's lead would be followed and carried to a successful conclusion. Sir Harry Barclay concluded by saying that he could not meet such a splendid assembly of sportsmen without a feeling of warm gratitude. He thanked Sir Kynaston Studd for the great interest he had shown in the Association, and he thanked the members of the various Committees who, for the love of the sport, gave up so much time and thought to the interests of the Association. Mr. P. L. Fisher (Life Vice-President), in proposing " Kindred Associations," said these were all working with one object, to foster the spirit of true amateurjsm, and they welcomed their old friend M. Meri– camp; M. Sahlin, Sweden; and M. de Bardossy, from Hungary, a nation with which the Association had always been connected, going back to the time when the Hungarians competed in the Olympic Games at London. Germany was represented by Dr. Riebow. They all agreed that the match with Germany was a wonderful event, carried through in a sportsmanlike way. Mr. H. D. G. Leveson-Gower repre– sented the M.C.C., a great body controlling a popular sport. The National Cyclists' Union was represented by Mr. James Blair, who had done useful work for the N.C.U. and the British Olympic Association, and who was a personal friend of many A.A.A. men. The Amateur Swimming Association was represented by Mr. H. Capper, and the National Amateur Wrestling Association by Mr. Percy Longhurst, one of the most enthusiastic men he had ever met in the world ofsport. Viscount Doneraile came from the National Skating Association. They wondered how amateur skating could be properly carried out in a country that seldom had any ice, but with the altered conditions, in the form of rinks, they looked forward to the Skating Association taking part in International competitions. They also welcomed Mr. J. Wardlaw (President, Scottish A.A.A.). Scottish hospitality was so bountiful that everyone had to be really trained for the event when they went to Scotland! The Northern and Midland Associations were represented by Mr. Russell Rose and Mr. Denis Lyons, the latter being one of the finest field event judges in the world. Mr. W. Baker, President of the Southern Counties C.C.A., was also present, wjth Mr. W. T. Pearce, President of the Rugby Union, a body which had already been faced with the question of payment for "broken time." Mr. Fisher also mentioned the presence of His Honour Judge Charles Gurdon, the Chairman of the Amateur Rowing Association, one of the foremost Associations in amateur sport, and Mr. Hughes Onslow, 130