A COMMITTEE Meeting was held at the offices of the Association, 18, Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C., on Monday, December 31. Present: Mr. Sydenham Dixon (President, in the chair), Col. S. E. Atkinson, Messrs.-W. Bradshaw, C. E. Johnson, S. A. Mussabini, and W. W. Stevens (Secretary).
The minutes of the last meeting were read, confirmed, and signed.
A letter was read from Mr. W. W. Stevens to the President, resigning his position as secretary. The Chairman paid a high tribute to the manner in which Mr. Stevens had assisted him in a somewhat difficult position, and the resignation of Mr. W. W. Stevens was accepted with regret, and Mr. A. C. Burnett was appointed Secretary.
A letter from Mr. H. Batty-Smith, resigning the posts of Hon. Treasurer and Chairman was then read, and the following resolution was moved by the Chairman: - "That this Committee accepts the resignation of Mr. H. Batty-Smith with very great regret, and tenders him a hearty vote of thanks for the invaluable services he has rendered to the Association for so many years past. The Committee earnestly hopes that Mr. Batty-Smith may be inclined to resume office at no distant period." This was seconded by Col. Atkinson, and carried unanimously.
On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. C. E. Johnson, Col. Atkinson was unanimously elected Hon. Treasurer, and it was further decided that cheques should in future be signed jointly by him and the President.
The programme for the remainder of the season was then discussed, and it was decided that qualifying competitions for the Amateur Championship should be held in London, Manchester, Dublin, and, if it could possibly be arranged in time, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The winners in these qualifying competitions to meet in London in the competition proper at the National Sporting Club, the first heat to be played on Wednesday, March 6 next The Amateur Championship to be immediately followed by the semi- finals and final of the Inter-County Amateur Championship, which will also be played at the National Sporting Club. An alteration was made in the rules governing the latter competition and for the future the Association will not defray the expenses of the provincial teams visiting London.
The kind offer of Messrs. Thurston of the use of the Minor Hall at Leicester Square was gratefully accepted, and it was arranged that a handicap, open to amateur members of the Association, should be begun there about the middle of February.
The Chairman reported that Messrs. Cox and Yeman had generously offered the use of their Brompton Road Saloon, and it was arranged that an American Tournament, open to eight selected players, would be begun there on Monday, February 11 The players must be members of the Association, and not of gaged in the Soho Square Tournament. Prizes to the value of £54: will be given, and Crystalate balls will be used. On the proposition of Col. Atkinson it was unanimously agreed that there should be a handicap for markers, members of the Association, soon after the termination of the American Tournament. Bonzoline balls will probably be used in this competition.
Four new members were elected to the Association. The remainder of the business was private, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings.