CHESS AND DEBATING CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1256, 17 July 1880, Page 2

CHESS AND DEBATING CLUB.

A Meeting of those interested in the formation of a Chess and Debating Club for Hamilton was held at Dawsons Royal Hotel on Thursday evening for the purpose of finally passing the rules and electing a President and Committee. There were about 15 gentlemen present. M v J. K. McDonald was voted to the ohair aud related the steps already taken by the provisional committee. The draft rules as prepared by the Committee were then submitted and discussed. It was decided that the Club meet for debating every Friday evening and for chess playing every Monday and Thursday. Rule IT3 limiting the duration of any speech to 15 minutes unless by consent of three fourths of the members present, was struck out and in lieu thereof a rule was inserted that all members of the Club be supposed to represent some Waikato Constituency, the names of seats to be fixed by lot. The remainder of the rules submitted were adopted. They provide tha t the obj ectsof the Club are inter alia "to improve the memb3rs for public speaking', and to promote an interest in tne mode of conducting public meetings." Tho Club, which shall CDnf onn as nearly as poaaiblQ to PftrHamefttaiy

practice, is governed by a President, who shall alw fiU the. position of speaker and is elected annually; and by a committee of three, chairman, treasurer, and secretary, who form the executive and are liable to be turned out in the same manner as a miniatry namely, by an adverse vote on any of tho propositions brought down by them. On the defeat or resignation of tho committee, the President shall proceed to form a new one by appointing ft^jliairman that offioer selecting his two colleagues. The committee is invested with full power in the management of the affairs of th? Club. The rules having been passed the meeting proceeded to the election of a president. — Dr Sandes nominated Mr H. W. Northcroft, R.M. Mr Small seconded. Carried. — Mr J. K. McDonald was elected chairmann on the motion of Dr Sandes, seconded by Mr McLernon ; Mr S. E. G. Smith, treasurer, on the motion of J. M. Murray, seconded by Dr Sandes ; ani Mr It. G-. Park, secretary, on the motion of Mr Field, seconded by Mr W. Cumming. — On the motion of Mr Small, seconded by Rev. William Calder, Mr George Edgecumbe and Mr J. M. Murray were elected auditors. Thirty -nine gentlemen were then enrolled and elected, and a large number paid their subscription, which amounts to 10s per annum, 5s being payable halfyearly in advance. It was decided to hold the first meeting of the Club on Friday next, the 23rd instant, to which visitors will be admitted by ticket only. The meeting then terminated with a hearty vote of thanks to the chair. A meeting- of the committee was held immediately after the above, at which several matters of routine were arranged.