WORKING MEN'S CLUB.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 869, 15 July 1910, Page 9

WORKING MEN'S CLUB.

MR, ALFRED JORDAN'S VISIT. A special general meeting of the chess and draughts section of the Wellington Working lien's Club was held in the club's rooms on Wednesday, there being a record attendance of members, including representatives of the Waterside Workers' Draughts Club, who were present by invitation. A letter was read from Mr. J. Abernetliy (Chess Editor "Otago Witness") regarding the visit of Mr. Alfred Jordan, draughts champion of England. It was explained that Mr. Jordan was to _ leave Melbourne yesterday for Duncdin, which town would bo his headquarters while in New Zealand; After giving exhibitions of simultaneous play in various centres of the South Island, it was proposed that Mr. Jordan 'should visit Wellington, Auckland, and any other North Island centre that might wish to secure a visit. It was mentioned incidentally that Mr. Jordan is also a very strong chess player, and an extremely capable billiard player. It was apparent from the tone of the meeting, that members were desirous of securing a visit from Mr. Jordan. Mr. Abernethy had quoted .£G as the - minimum amount that would secure Mr. Jordan's services for a week, provided the South Island centres gave the support expected. Failing such support, a higher figure will be required. Two members present undertook to raise the mentioned, and tho chairman promised to bring, the matter before tho General Committee at next week's meeting, with a favourable recommendation for according the acquired support. It was suggested that the club's social hall should bo available for two nights of tho "Jordan Week," and suitable arrangements would be made for tho remaining four evenings. The local arrangements will be in the hands of a committee of live, consisting of: Messrs. C. Eeid, J. P.eid, P. M'Pherson (Wadestown), 6. G. Farland (Waterside Workers), and J. Darling (Petone). With regard to the. club's annual draughts match against the Waterside Workers, the secretary of tho latter club stated that his team would be prepared to play the annual fixture at an early date. It was decided to invite entries for a tournament' to decide the draughts championship of the club, for which prizes have been given by Messrs. Griffiths, Simon Scott, and J. Kennedy. It is proposed to institute a draughts "ladder" in the club, the rungs being allotted in . accordance with the results of tho championship tourney. An anonymous donor having given £3 for the encouragement of chess in the club, 'Mr. Dalrymplo suggested that this should be devoted to a tournament for those who had never won a first prize in tile club. The suggestion was approved by the meeting, and it was decided to devote .£1 10s. to a handicap tournament for players graded as second class, and a like amount for players graded as thirdclass. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the anonymous donor, and also to the three other donors already named. Regarding the amount voted by the General Committee for the current handicap tournaments it was decided to grant five prizes for chess and five for draughts as in former years. Tho Auckland remits submitted by the New Zealand Chess Association were next considered. Members were in sympathy ■with tho object aimed at by the Auckland Chess Club, though-not entirely with the methods proposed for achieving the desired end of cheapening tho annual cost of the tournament to decide 'the chess championship of New Zealand. The club's delegates, Messrs. 'J. G. W. Dalrymple and j. Milesi will have a free hand in tho direction indicated. A member present pointed out that as regards chess and draughts, Wellington was behind other New Zealand centres, in that its free public libraries did not provide tables for chess and draughts. It was decided to ' approach the City Council with a view to Wellington being brought into line with other centres in this respect. *