CHESS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3089, 21 May 1917, Page 7

CHESS

THE WELLINGTON CLUB. Tho : forty-first annual report of the above dub, which is beins submitted by the hon. secretary, Mr. ,G. A. Tyer,_ at this week's annual general meeting, gives an interesting review of the past y«>x. s operations. There were thirteen.- competitors in the annual handicap tourney, we first prize being won by W. C. White, of Petone, who won the whole of nis cloven gaines. He therefore continues to hold the "Petherick Trophy, No. 2," and is the only player to score two firsts in succession in the annual 'Tethenok Tourney (which was instituted in 1903). The club clampion, R. J. Barnes, ivho was the only competitor on the scratch mark, takes the 6econd prize, and Purchas fhe third prize. Only one ladder match was played during the season, as a result or -which W. Mackay retains ruiig 2, which ho Rained from Still in tho previous year. Two matches were played by telegraph, the 12-aejde fixture with tho Canterbury C.C. ending in a tie (six points each), while the dub won its 14-aside contest with the Otago C.C. % seven games to 6ix and one draw. Ten. matches have now been played against tho Canterbury Chib, of 'which, five have been, won V>y Wellington, and two by Canterbury, tho remaining three having, ended in a tie. All four Otago v. Wellington matches have been won by the latter clnb. The joar closed with some-very successful open nights, devoted to the mateh Bowlew v. Non-Bowlers, in which 62 plnyors took part. Tho NonBowlers were returned winners after a tough contest by. 18 games to 13. Tho committee regrets to have to report a further slight decrease in tho -membership, there being at present only 19 hc-ti-re and 9 honorary members On the register. Tho attendances lave, however, improved lately, and tio prospects are now brighter. Two members have recently enlisted, viz., Messrs. 'Stan. Gyles, who won his four telegraphic gamra against the Canterbury C.C, and C. Atkin. They will, it is hardly necessary to add, carry with them tho best wishes of their fellow-members. 'I wo deaths are recorded with much sorrow. Mr. W; Cowpw Hill, who had acted as tho club's hob. secretary and treasurer for two years, -when ho enlisted «nd joined tho Eleventh Reinforcements, died in France on September 17 last from a shell wound received two days earlier. On receipt of tho Bad news a letter of condolenco was immediately sent to his father, who resides at Looo, in Cornwall, and from whom an appreciative acknowledgment was received in duo course. The club received anothor bereavement through the death of its president, Mr. A. G. Fell, which occurred on February 6. Mr. Fell was a tower of fironsth to tho club during tho eloven years that he was connected with it. He rendered conspicuous service as a etrong player, a tireless, far-fieeing. and eminently tactful office-bearer, and a generous supporter n[ tho gaJiie. Tho sympathy of the club, whicii was represented at tho funeral bv an ex-president, has been conveyed to Mr. Fell'n relatives. The report of the hon. treasurer,. Mr. Gyles, son., shows that, despite tho nma.li■nnss of tho membership roll, the club has just, managed to pay its way diiriue the past year. The club hat- a email credit balance, and there aro no liabili-' ties, this satisfactory position being in. a. measure duo to donation; from a few enthusiasts who rlo not wish fo ceo tlto shutters go up. The committee's thanks aro also tendered to Messrs. S. and W. Mackay for kindly continuing lo supply a copy of tho "British Chrss M/igazipe. Thn report concludes with »■ noto nn the prevailing uncertainly regarding the incotning year, each ma.n in the community Wing a pawu in the colossal game that has boon in progress for nearly fchroo yeai-e past. Hia movements are s'ubiccl; to the contingencies of tho position on lite Hoard, nnd arV> directed according to the dictates of the minds of those conducting the game. This lhby have a further effect upon tho club, but: in view of tho increased attendance of tho last, fow months tho committee is hopeful oS being n.blo to carry on satisfactorily until the eorely-needwi roinforremonts como to the rescue of the voteranp who a.re maintaining the clubs position iii spite of Badly depleted ranks.