CHESS CHAMPIONS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 404, 13 January 1909, Page 9

CHESS CHAMPIONS.

WELCOMED BY WORKINC MEN'S CLUB. The conquering heroes of the Now Zealand ohoss tournament, Messrs. F. K. Kelling and R. J. Barnes, were welcomed home by their companions of tho Wellington Working' Men's Club wjth orchestral strains, and toasts, and speeches last evening. Thero was a orowded gathering to do honour to tho club's successful representatives, and cordiality and congratulation rcignod. '~..■ Tho presidont of the club, Mr. T; Carmiohacl, .warmly welcomed tho delegates, and expressed a conviction, which was endorsed by acclamations, that no more popular champion of the tournament than Mr. Kelling could have come to light. The toast of the two' players was honoured with much enthusiasm.

Mr. Kellmg, in responding, gave an interesting account of tho tournament, and told some mirthful stories to illustrate its lighter side. Ho made it obvious that tho players enjoyed a very pleasant time in DunG . -Y F £ brU T a - r s v , 4 ' wnicn i ave the championship, to Mr. Kelling, with Mr. Barnes as run-ner-up, was a "Glorious Fourth" for the Wellington Working Men's Club. Summing up tiici contests, the champion said that Bauer had an off"_ day early in tho tournament,: Paries and Edwards wore in poor form on the ima.l;day, Gnerson seemed very stalo after a previous hanT bout of night work in Auckland,- and J,. Mason was badly hampered by his .clocks, having on different occasions to make. 14 moves in 14 minutes, 14 moves in 13 minutes, and six moves in two minutes/which seriously affected at least two of his games, it was remarked in Dunedin that the Wellington men had swept the board, but this conclusion might require to be modified, since-the prize for brilliancy giveni by Dr. Fitchctt, president of the New Zealand Chess had yet to, bo awarded. Mr,- Kelling said : that .it had .pleased .him much to meet, in the same week,-the. two sole survivors of tho first JYew Zealand . congress . of C. Janioh, of Wellington, who was present that evening and Mr. D, R. Hay, of Dunedin, wjio . had come over from Melbourne: and was .a-frequent visitor to the tournament. tie' expressed his warm appreciation of the reception given to: Mr. Barnes and himself: ;'Mr. Barnes congratulated the club' on a distinction which ho believed no other club had -ever gained—that of having first and second prize-winners. It was also a matter for congratulation that,the other two prizewinners, Messrs. 0. Davies and J. Mason, also'came from Wellington'. ; Later on Mr. Barnes proposed the health of ..tho other Wellington winners, and Mr. Mason replied. Mr. Davies was not present, having been called away to Auckland. Mr. J.' G. W. Dalrymple, in proposing the toast of "Kindred Chess Societies and Visitors,", snid that the gathering should help to dissipate certain wrong impressions of tho Wellington Working Men's Club. It had been shown that the club could produce an excellent orchestra, some fine singers, and somo/sterling chess players. I Unkind remarks had been, made about the club, but if a; club was formed of 1200 clergymen, there would be found a few black sheep among thorn. ■■'"■■■■ j ' ■'• Messrs. W. H. P. Barter and E. W. Petherick- responded to the toast. Songs and orchestral' selections enhanced the pleasure of the evening. ' \ '. .