CHESS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2765, 8 May 1916, Page 9

CHESS

THE WELLINGTON CLUB,

TJio fortieth annual general meeting |of the above club was held at the 5..M.C.A. buildings on Saturday; evening, 1.6 players being present. ' Mr, A. G. jfell (president! occupied rho chair. Tlio eauiiuittcc's annual report stated that owing to tlio smalluess of the membership and tlio scanty attendances at tlio club room it was impossible to hold any tourneys during the past seasou, a uuiquo one in the history of tho club, hi August 68 players took part Ln tho match Bowlers v. -\on-bowler6, which the latter won by 21 games, to 13. In October 9b' players were paired in a match, Combined Suburbs v. Club team, the tormor winning by 28 games to 2D. The match of two games pui.yed by correspondence with the Sydney School of Arts CO. was won by tlio club, which scored one game and drew tho other. Only one ladder match was completed during tho past year, Mr. W. Mackay capturing rung 2 from Mr. Still after a tough contest. Tho annual telegraphic match'with, the Canterbury Chess Club (12 players, a side) was played on the evenings of May 15 and 22, \v;hen the club's opponents won. handsomely, scoring 7 games to our 5. Mr. W. F. Barraud, who w:on his game at board 8, waß tno only member of the club's team who played in the first match in 1879, on which occasion ho drew his game at board 6. Of the 9 matches played to date tho Wellington C.C. has won 5, the Canterbury CO. 2, and two have ended in a tie." T3ie even nature of these contests' is illustrated by tlio fact that of the 106 games plajv ed to date Wellington can only show 56 wins to_ tlio Canterbury Club's 50 (a draw being reckoned half a win to each side).

There was a small credit' balance and there were no liabilities. The membership of tho club had fallen away considerably during the last few years, and was now. disturbingly small, only 20 active and 10 honorary members. With no young recruits coming • forward and most of the older brigade persistently avoiding the club-room week after week and month after month, the outlook was not bright as tho club enters its fortytest year. Mr. W. Gowper-Hill, hoii. secretary and treasurer for the past two years, left 'New Zealand recently as a member of tho 11th Reinforcements. The club tendered him best wishes for a safe return after the Enropean checkmate. Best wishes were also with two ex-members well known in Congress circles, viz., Mr. John Mason, who held the Now Zealand championship in 1910, and Mr. A. W. .Gyles, who has three times been runner-up for that honour (both in the Field Ambulance' Service). _ Mr. E. W. Petherick, a former president who was noted for his generous support of chess and endeared, himself to members, died on Christmas Day, at the age of 75. Mr. Petherick, who was tho second white child born in Wellington, presented the two trophies bearing his name, and' often came quietly to the rescue when the club was financially embarrassed. Members also tendered eoudolenco to tho president, Mr., Fell, whoso daughter; Mrs. Earl Johnston (wife of Brigadier-General Johnston, of tho Now Zealand Expeditionary Force) died in Cairo recently. Mr. Fell, who has been hrin. secretary to tho New Zealand Chess Association for tho past eight years, had tho sympathy r,f players in all parts of the Dominion. ; Thanks wero due, to.Messrs. S. and W. Mackay for continuing to supply tho club with tho "British 1 Chess Magazine," tho president, Mr. Fell, for a valued donation to the club's funds, and Mr. W. J. Helycr for a handsome trophy for the coming year.

Tho Now Zealand Chess Association has decided to hold no further congrosses during tho currency of the present great war, thus bringing this champifinship into line with various other New Zealand championships. Au effort will be mado this year to revive two "lapsed" fixtures, viz., tho "Petherick'' tournament and the old-time match with tho Working; Men's Club. If is also hoped to, have', the assistance of other chess forces in trys city in connection with tho proposal to hold an "all-Wel-lington" championship; tournament.' Tho report and balance-sheet wero unanimously adopted on the motion, of Mr. Tanner, who had the meeting with him in his tribute to the good work of last year's lion, treasurer, Mr. Gyles. The election of officers resulted*as follows :—President, Mr. A. G. Fell.; vicepresidents, Messrs. C. W..Tanner and W. Mackayj hon. secretary, Mr. G. A. : ■Tyer;_ lion, treasurer, Mr. A. ' Gyles j Messrs. Barnes, Mason, •Ward, Purehas and Rolling; auditor, Mr. S. Mackay; match committee (elected.at a subsequent committco meeting), Messrs. W. E. Mason, Fell, and "A. Gyles.

It was decided to agree to tho dates submitted by tho Canterbury 'Chess Club for the annual telegraphic match, viz., 20th' and 27tli ihst., and, if possible, to carry out in tho coming yesr the programme outlined in tho annual report. Tho meeting concluded with a cordial voto of thanks to last year's of-fice-bearers, a grateful tribute'to whoso labours was voiced by Mr. Tanner.'