HAMILTON CHESS CLUB.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 487, 14 September 1899, Page 2

HAMILTON CHESS CLUB.

At an interval during last night's play, the opportunity was taken to present the handsome trophy donated the club by Mr S. Harker, jeweller Hamilton, at the begining of tho season. A tournament was arranged the players being handicapped in the usual way, the games extended over several weeks, Mr Lye finally winning after a close finish with Mr McCrae.

The president of the club, Mr G. Edgecumbe, in making the presentation referred to the handicap which he had assisted in framing, and although when it first came out, it was severely criticised, that too much odds had been giveu to the younger players still the results proved, seeing that the final matches wei« decided among the more expert players, that the handicap was not far out. The speaker congratulated the club upon its successful season and of the increasing interest and numbers of its active members. He thought, however, that much of the credit of this was due to the good services rendered by Mr McCrae, their painstaking Secretary. Mr Edgecumbe then presented the trophy to Mr Lye, and in complimentary terms referred to the high position he had reached as a player, notwithstanding that he had so lately mastered the rudiments of the game. Mr Lye, in responding, said he was very much gratified in being successful in the tournament, and thanked the President for the complimentary terms in which he had been referred to, and also begged to thank the members for the manner in which they had received these remarks. When he came to Hamilton, about two years ago, he knew nothing of the game, and what proficiency he had attained was entirely due to the kindness of his instructor, Mr McCrae. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded Mr Harker for the valuable donation and to Mr McCrae for the eminent services he had rendered the Club.