Bridge Entries Limited For N.Z. Championship

Press, Volume C, Issue 29620, 16 September 1961, Page 5

Bridge Entries Limited For N.Z. Championship

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND. Sept. 15. Auckland contract bridge players are upset over a decision by the executive committee of the New Zealand Association limiting the number of teams to play in the New Zealand championship at Auckland this weekend.

After accepting entries from 40 teams, the executive committee has decided to hold the tournament in two sections, 25 teams in the championship, and 15 in the plate. Consequently, a number of Auckland teams which had expected to play for the championship. and have found themselves in the plate competition, have withdrawn from the tournament. The president of the New Zealand Contract Bridge Association. Mr R. Evans (Auckland) sent a telegram to the executive committee "strongly recommending” that all 40 teams be allowed to play in the championship. The executive committee replied reaffirming its decision to limit entries to 25 teams. The president of the Auckland Bridge. Club, Mr J. L. Farrell, said that entries would have had to be limited sooner or later, as in

other countries. It was a matter of whether the time was ripe at this stage. He felt that it was unfortunate that the executive committee had not announced its decision before accepting entries.