CHESS

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 68, 20 March 1936, Page 4

CHESS

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION

QUARTERLY COUNCIL MEETING

A quarterly council meeting of the New Zealand Chess Association was held on March 16. Mr. A. T. Craven (Auckland), the president of the association, occupied the chair, and the following delegates were also present: —Messrs. J. C. McCrea (Hamilton), G. P. Anderson (Gisborne), R. G. Didsbury (Napier), F. K. Kelling (Rotorua and Southland), W. White (New Plymouth), W. Kemble Welch (Palmerston North), R. A. Godtschalk (Dannevirke), G. A. Jones (Masterton), A. W. Gyles and R. C. Sim (Wellington CO, H. M. Rosenberg (Wellington W.M. Club and Literary Institute), J. L. Hardy (South Wellington CO, E. E. Hicks (Ngaio), E. H. Severrie (Nelson), F. J. Brooker (Canterbury), Johannes C. Andersen (Kaiapoi), F. F. Grady (Oamaru), H. J. Cleland and J. Read (Otago). An apology was received from K. Beyer (Wellington W.M. Club and Literary Institute). A cordial welcome was extended to Mr.. J. C. Andersen, a former Canterbury [player, who made his first appearance as the representative of the recentlyformed Kaiapoi Chess Club. The correspondence related mainly to the 45th championship congress, held in Wellington during the Christmas holidays, to the recent successful two months' tour of the Dominion by Mr. C. J. S. Purdy, the Australian champion, and to the remits of Messrs. J. C. McCrea and J. L. Hardy. Mr. H. N. Robie, the hon. secretary of the Wellington Chess League, reported a credit balance in connection with the recent championship congress, the management of which was entrusted to the league. This more than made up the loss on the tour of Mr. Purdy. It was unanimously decided to send a letter of thanks to the league for its valued labours in this connection.

Mr. E. E. Hicks was elected to the office of hon. treasurer in place of Mr. R. G. Didsbury, whose resignation is due to business changes entailing frequent absences from Wellington. The chairman reported the present position of the efforts to get a reduction in the cost of telegraphic matches, and also permission for the playing of matches by wireless. It is hoped to have further information regarding these matters before the annual meeting is held in June. The Masterton Club wrote forwarding two years' subscriptions.

The suggestion of the Auckland Club that each club should send in its two best games every month for pooling and circulation was not adopted owing to the labour and expense that would be entailed.

Messrs. W. White and R. C. Sim were appointed a sub-committee to report on a letter received from Mr. A. O. Gray, of Christchurch, who asked if the New Zealand unit of the British Correspondence Chess Association (of I which he is the hon. secretary) could affiliate with the New Zealand Chess Association. Mr. Gray explained that his unit now has 43 members, three of whom have done well in the annual New Zealand congress. Mr. Andrew Dall, chess editor of "The Leader," Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria, wrote .expressing a wish that each affiliated club would send him a list giving The names of its members and their addresses. He explained that "The Leader" is preparing a little gift for chess lovers and he wished New Zealand players to be in the distribution.

The remit standing in the name of the hon. secretary, Mr. J. C. McCrea, that the number of competitors in the annual championship tourney be limited to 14, was debated at some length,

as a few of the twenty delegates present had been given a free hand in this matter by their respective clubs. On being put to the meeting the remit was carried by 35 votes to 26. Messrs. Severne, Sim, Read, and Hardy (convener) were appointed a sub-committee to report on proposals submitted for altering the constitution of the Elimination Board, and also on proposed amendments of,-and additions to, some of the association's rules. On the motion of Mr. Brooker, it was decided to invite entries for four tour- ! neys in connection ' with the next annual congress: (1) Championship; (2) intermediate; (3) minor; and-. (4) ladies'. It is expected that the: next congress will be held in Auckland, commencing on or about Boxing Pay. A definite decision . regarding 1 the centre in which the congress is to be held has to be made at the annual meeting in June, when the officers to be elected include the president, and [twelve vice-presidents, six from/reach Island. Clubs are invited to send in. nominations for these offices, as required by the association's rules. In the event of the next congress being held in Auckland, the president for the year 1936-37 will be the nominee of the Auckland' Chess Club. '.;.' Entries for the Bledisloe Cup .competition close on April 30. It was decided to send a letter to Mr. Purdy expressing appreciation of the , good that his recent two months' tour of the Dominion has done to New Zealand chess. .v;