CHESS AND DRAUGHTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 212, 2 June 1919, Page 6

CHESS AND DRAUGHTS

WELLINGTON - WORKING MEN'S CLUB.

At'the annual general meeting of the Wellington Works's Men's Club's chess and draughts section there was a largo attendance. Mr. B. Finucane (president) occupied the chair. The thirtieth animal report stated that in the annual handicap chess tourney (eighteen entries) theclub's champion, Mr. Barnes, added to his formidable list of triumphs by once more .taking .first prize. This is the fourth time that he has won the Staples Cup, ■which was presented in 1899, ami now becomes his property, haying been won outright. Tho second prize was won/by Mr. W. White, the third by Mr. H. 11. long, the fourth by Mr. S. Faulkner, and the fifth by the Crimean veteran, Mr. A. J. Larking. In the draughts tourna-•m?nt-(tea-entries), Messrs. Manson, J. T?ein,. and .Burgess showed the best form. When' the sealed handicap was opened, it was found that Messrs. Manson and ,T. Wright had tied for first place. They accordingly divide the <first and second I prizes. Mr. Boock wins the third prize, and Mr. J. Eeid the fourth.' The chess team had an exceptionally successful season, winning seven, inter-club matches and drawing one. which is easily a record in the thirty years of organised chess. The , club . .was not so successful in draughts, _ the Watcrsiders defeating it rather easily in the annual fixture. They thus 'regained the >challengo shield the cltiV captured from them in the previous year. The death of a former chairman (Mr. H, A. W. M'Kenzie) who was one of tho victims of the influenza epidemic in November last, is recorded with much regret. The club is greatly indebted to ,him for his valued labours in advancing the cause of chess and draughts in their ;nidst. Members of the Watersiders' Club and of tho Working Men's Club havo joined hands in the matter of erecting a stone at tho grave of the late Mr. Charles Ericson, who was the draughts champion of both clubs at the time of his lamented death. Advices from Christchuicli 6tate that this work has been well carried out by the monumental mason to whom it was entrusted. Members thank the Masterton Chess Club for kind hospitalities extended to their team and also congratulate the club on the success of its Easter rally. Sundry championships that have been locked up during the war aTe to be resumed dnring tho incoming year. In this connection members are reminded that the New Zealand Draughts Assoeiatiojj r js..to hold.a tournament at Timaru in September next to decide the championship of Australasia, and that a tournament to de. cide the chess championship 6f Now Zealand is scheduled to commence in Wellington during the coming Christmas holidays. The report was adopted unanimously. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President Mr. B. Finucane; vice-' presidents, Mr. T. E. Nixon; lion, secretary, Mr. S. Faulknor; hon. treasurer, Mr. J. Wilson; hon. reporter, Mr. F. Iv. Kel. ling; Match Committees, Messrs. Wring, Faulknor, Long, and Coultor for chess; and Messrs. Boock, Boshcr, Manson, and Coulter for draughts; referee for chess, Mr. W. Mackav (president of the Wellington Chess Club); roferee for draughts, Mr. J. Butler (of the Watcrsiders' Club); consulting members, Messrs. Barnes and Kelling for chess; and Messrs. Coulter, and ,T. Wright for draughts; delegates lo Now Zealand Chess Association, Messrs. S. Faulknor and H. E, Long. It was decided to hold the usual annual .handicap tourneys if sufficient entries were forthcoming. Tlio president then presented ■ the prizes won last year. The meeting closed with a hearty voto of thanks to last year's officers and a similar tribute to the General Committee.