Chess

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32020, 21 June 1969, Page 12

Chess

Sir,—My congratulations on your fine editorial on the Spassky-Petrosian world chess championship. You certainly show an insight and knowledge of the game of chess that not many people have. Although we in New Zealand are still a long way from having a world chess champion, the standard of play here is improving all the time. Later this year we hope to send Bruce Anderson (aged 21) our focal player and joint New Zealand champion, to Singapore to compete for the championship of Zone 10. The winner of this will, of course, be eligible for the candidates' tournament Our congratulations go to Boris Spassky who, I am sure, will have a long and illustrious reign as world chess champion.—Yours, etc.

A. J. NIJMAN, President Canterbury Chess Club. June 19,1969. Poisons And Bird Life Sir,—Recently notices that poison has been laid have been erected on the south side of the road which runs between the Bromley ponds of the Drainage Board. The notice boards have been erected by the Plains Rabbit Board. What concerns some of us is whether the poison might be eaten by the numerous pukeko, ducks, swans, etc, which live in this area, which is gazetted a wildlife area. Since these ponds have been formed, they have provided an increasing source of interest We have read of poisons, laid for noxious animals, poisoning many otherwise protected native birds, which is a lamentable tragedy. Our native birds have a precarious existence with dwindling areas to live in without being inadvertently poisoned. Could the Rabbit Board reassure us that due care is being taken in this area?— Yours, etc, YAGEE. June 17,1969.

[Mr R. Boyd, secretary of the Plains Pest Destruction Board, replies: “Yes. Every care is taken with all poisoning operations. The board cooperates with the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society at all times and uses their recommended green dye with the poisoned baits.”]