CHRISTCHURCH CHESS CLUB.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1772, 24 October 1879, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH CHESS CLUB.

A special meeting of the Christchurch Chess Club was held last evening, Mr Veel, president of the club, in the chair, and a largo attendance of members.

A letter of apology from Dr. Ellis was read, stating that another engagement caused him to be absent from the meeting. The Chairman read the communication from the congress committee ns follows - The congress committee beg to make the following observations with respect to the resolutions passed at the last special meeting of the Christchurch Chess Club : The first of these resolutions affirms that “the appointment of a managing c-.mmittce with such extensive powers should not have been made after the entries (under tho published rules) had closed. And al;o that some of the players who had entered should have b en appointed members of such managing committee.” With regard to this resolution, we have to remark that of the five members of the managing committee, two were players taking part in the tourney. With regaid to the extensive powers conferred upon them, tho committee beg to observe that although the congress committee empowered the managing committee to settle any dispute that might arise, in point of fact no dispute or question not within the province of the umpires to decide did ari-e, or was referred to them. This authority, therefore, was never practically exercised ; and as a mutter of fact, the managing committee held but a single meeting, and that only for tho purpose of making arrangements for the dinner Resolution 2—“ That tho way in which tho managing committee carried out the congress was very unsatisfactory ; ” and in course of tho discussion it was stated that the managing committee claimed to hive full power of altering any rn’e ; that they did eventually succeed in altering several; and generally, that they used their influence to override the rules and coerce the players. To this wo reply that the managing committee had nothing whatever to do with the making or altering of the rules, or with the management of the congress; they were concerned only in tho business arrangements, such as procuring ,a room, seeing to its proper lighting, procuring refreshments, and other matters connected with the accommodation of the players. Whatever alterations were made in the rules were made solely by the players themsciyes. The records have proved this beyond question. At a meeting of the players held on August 18th, at which all were present except Mr Newman, the following alterations wore made : 1. hat Mr Veel be allowed leave of absence for the first two evenings. 2. That rule 10 shall not apply to games played during the diy time, and that any game not finished by 6 p.m. shall be adjourned to the following morning. 3. That half an hour’s adjournment shall be allowed at the end of every two hours’ play, instead of one hour at the end of every four hours.” At another meeting of players held on August 22nd, at which all were present, it was agreed “ That on Saturdays play shall commence at 3 p.m., and that any games not finished at midnight shall be adjourned till Monday morning.” These are the only alterations that were made in the rules, and, as will be observed, were made by the players alone. Tho managing committee neither claimed nor exercised the slightest control in the matter. In conclusion, the congress committee cannot help expressing their extreme surprise that gentlemen who were present at the meetings of the players, and were perfectly aware of the truth of the case, should have misrepresented the circumstances in suih a manner as to have induced the late meeting to pass resolutions entirely inconsistent with facts. The question as to how the minute book had been absent from tho last special meeting having been raised, Tho President stated tho circumstances under which ho had taken possession of the book. The secretary complained to him that he was subjected to trouble and annoyance through members of the Club constantly coming to him to look up the minute book, and he (the president) said ho would take charge of the book so las to take the matter off tho secretary’s hands. As a matter of fact, however, he had never had possession of the minute. He had not as stated “demanded” the book, which appeared to imply that he had some ulterior object in view. His action had been with the sole object of furthering the peace and comfort of the Club. , , .. Some discussion and personal explanation followed, after which the minutes of the last ordinary meeting and the special meeting wore read and confirmed. Mr Grinstead, on behalf of Dr. Ellis, moved —“ That the resolution reflecting on tho management of tho Congress, passed at the last special meeting of the Christchurch Club be rescinded, as the explanations made this evening prove tho made at that meeting to be without foundation,” He expressed regret that the harmony of the association, which had gained such honor for tho city of Christchurch, should have been disturbed, and said tho spirit of discord had emanated from a small section of tho players, who had made statements which were of such a frivolous and unfounded character as to be quite unworthy the notice of those present. Mr Pinkstone seconded the motion. Mr Izard drew attention to the fact that the gentleman who had seconded tho motion was a member of the committee whose action had been called in question. Mr Mainwaring said it was a matter of entire indifference to him what view this meeting might take of the question. The proceedings of last meeting had been published, the charges made against the committee were answered, and the public could judge for itself. Mr R. Bray, in speaking Ho the motion, explained a mistake which appeared in the report of what he said at the last meeting. Being unused to public speaking, ho had no doubt failed to convey his meaning to the reporter. What he meant to say was that in the first place tho players met to elect umpires, fix how many games were to be played, and to consider if any of the rules should be altered (of course,, only with the consent of all), and that they tried to alter some of the rules against his wishes, and did eventually alter several, after great pressure had been used to obtain hia reluctant consent. And that on Friday, 22nd September, the players tried to alter rule 10, referring to games being played out at one sitting ; that eventually, in spite of his resolute opposition, they declared a motion carried which altered rule 10, so as to allow any gamb that might be unfinished at twelve o’clock on Saturday night, to be adjourned to tho Monday ; that four of tho managing committee were present on the occasion ho referred to, and might bo held to have taken part in altering the rules they had drawn out, as two of them were players and voted for the alteration, and one of the others strongly urged him to consent to the alteration—in fact, told him if he did not consent, the matter would bo reported to tho committee, and they would settle it against him. He thought at the time tho congress committee was referred to, as he was not then aware of the existence of the managing committee. Ho also understood that the fourth member of the committee was strongly in favor of it (he only knew him then as an umpire). He thought he had now rendered intelligible what lie had meant to say at tho last meeting, when speaking to tho motion — “ That the way in which the managing committee carried out the congress was very unsatisfactory.” Mr Jacobsen then spoke at some length to tho question. After a good deal of discussion, The resolution moved by Mr Grinstead was then put to the meeting and carried. Mr Hookham moved —“ That tho Ohystchurch Chess Club bo now dissolved, and the property disposed of by public auction, and the assets divided rateably among tho members ; 2, That the committee of the Christchurch Chess Club be instructed to take immediate steps to carry the above resolution into effect.” Mr Mainwaring seconded the resolution, remarking that chess was nothing unless carried on amicably. The body politic was, so to speak, diseased, and, therefore, be thought

it desirable they should dissolve the club, so that another might be started under now auspices. Mr Seager said he claimed the fulfilment of his contract with the club till the end of the year, and the club could not therefore be dissolved. Mr Izard said no reason had been adduced why there should bo a dissolution. It was simply a contrivance to oust certain members.

After a good deal of discussion, the motion was then put and a division taken, the result of which was—Ayes, 5 ; roes, 12. The motion was then declared to be lost. The meeting terminated after a vote of thanks to the chair.