Fifty Years of Progress 1880-1930

THE FIRST MEETING AT OXFORD Athletic Club could state what course would be adopted by the donors of the challenge cups. Mr. J. G. Chambers (A.A.C.) regretted that the Earl of Jersey could not be present to represent the feeling on this matter, but, after what had fallen from Mr. Waddell, representing the London Athletic Club, he was sure the donors would not stand in the way of preventing any meeting being held which might benefit athletics. He had had communications from several donors during the past five or six days and they instructed him to use his own discretion in the matter, and as far as the majority were concerned, anything that met with general approbation there they would support. (Applause.) In I 866, when the thing was started, athletics was in its infancy, and a great deal of the criticism that had been passed on them was, to a certain extent, deserved. They could not be infallible, and where they had made mistakes they would be glad to remedy them in future. (Applause.) The Chairman then put separately the motion that the Championship Meeting be a circulating one, and this was carried. It was unanimously agreed that the meeting for this year should be held at Lillie Bridge. On a division it was decided that the Championship Meeting in r88r should be held in the Midlands, and in I 88 2 in the North. THE DEFINITION OF AN AMATEUR Mr. C. N. Jackson (O.U.A.C.) proposed that the meeting should adopt as the definition of an amateur that which was stated in the draft:- ,, That all races held under the sanction of the Association be confined to amateurs, and that the following definition of an amateur be proposed for adoption: 'Any person who has never competed in any open competition, or for public money, or for admission money, or with professionals for a prize, public money, or admission money, and who has never taught or assisted in the pursuit of athletic exercises as a means of livelihood.'" Mr. T. M. Abraham (N.C.A.A.) seconded the proposition. Mr. L. Knowles (C.U.A.C.) thought they ought to insert after the words " or with professionals," " except under special circumstances and under the sanction of the Committee of this Association." Mr. J. G. Chambers (A.A.C.) suggested that they should have the definition which was used by the Amateur Athletic Club in I 866, and which was used for Henley Regatta, and all Rowing Clubs. He would read it:- " No person shall be considered an amateur who has ever competed with or against a professional for any prize; who has ever taught, pursued, or assisted in the practice of athletic exercises of any kind as a means of obtaining a livelihood, or who is by trade or employ– ment a mechanic, artisan, or labourer." l!! 2