CHESS CONGRESS DINNER.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1727, 2 September 1879, Page 3

CHESS CONGRESS DINNER.

Last night the Chess Club and other gentlemen interested in the game entertained those gentlemen who had come to Christchurch to take part in the struggle for the championship. Between twenty and thirty sat down to a dinner in Coker’s Hotel, provided in Mr Coker’s well known style. Mr Veel occupied the chair, and Dr. Ellis and Mr Jacobsen the vice chairs. After the cloth was cleared, Mr Yeel rose and stated that ho was laboring under a difficulty. He had been entrusted with proposing the toast of the champion chess player of New Zealand, but at present who that player might be was undecided. It had been considered certain that Mr Hay, of Dunedin, would win eleven games out of his fourteen, but Mr Newman had, contrary to all expectation, beaten him in the afternoon, and it was possible that Mr Hookham who had two yet to play, aod had,won eight out twelve, might yet come up to him. Mr Yeel remarked on the difficulties which had been encountered in this the first chess tournament in New Zealand, and reminded his hearers that the same had occurred in the first chess tournament in 1851, and in the first American tournament. That such meetings should bo carried through with perfect success of course required experience. He was glad, however, that Christchurch had been the first to initiate the movement, and he trusted when the next tournament was got up, in Dunedin, or elsewhere, the Christchurch representatives would show up favorably. The following toasts wore then given : —“ The umpires,” by Mr Hookham, responded to by Mr Pinkstone ; “The scorers,” Jby Mr Janion, responded to by Mr Malcolm. The Rev. Ash, in a humorous speech, proposed Mr Jacobsen’s health, in the course of which he gave it as his opinion that that gentleman had the best style of any player he had ye mot in New Zealand, and referred to his hope that the next meeting would take place in Dunedin. Mr Grins!cad proposed “Chess” and Dr. Ellis “ the Visitors,” which toast was responded to by the Rev. Ash and Messrs Hay, Janion, Lewis, and Armson. Mr Paul proposed “ the President, Mr Yeel,” and Mr Jacobsen “the Yioe-President, Dr. Ellis.” Mr Hay proposed “ the Press,” responded to by Messrs Mainwaring and Nelson, and Mr Hookham “ the Ladies,” responded to by Mr Horwood. After a large amount of harmony had been discussed and a very pleasant evening spent, the company dispersed.