CHESS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 110, 11 May 1909, Page 2

CHESS.

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, The annual general meeting of the above association was held last evening at the office of the hon secretary, Mr. A. G. Fell, King's Chambers. Mr. Connell (delegate for Gisborne) occupied the chair, and there were also present Messrs. B. B. Allen (Auckland), Barnes (Otago), Milesi (Wellington Working Men's Club), ColJins (Wellington and South Wellington), Kelling (Wanganui Rangitikei, and Masterton), and A. G. Fell (hon. secretary). Mr. J. G. W. Dalyrmple (Wellington Working Men's Club) sent an apology for unavoidable absence. THE REPORT. The annual report submitted by the hon. secretary, Mr. A. G. Fell, showed that the association now consists of thirteen clubs. \i^.. Auckland, Auckland Working Men's Club, Gisborne. Masterton, Wanganui, Rangifcikei, Wellington,' ™ „. gton Wor l"°S Men's Club, South! Wellington, Canterbury, Timaru, Otago, and Oamaru. Finance.— IL is regretted that some of the smaller clubs are not very strong and that in consequence some 'of their subscriptions to the association have not yet been paid, tlrus reducing the year's receipts. Some of the association's subscribers have also, unfortunately, dropped off the books. The question of purchasing a permanent championship trophy is consequently, postponed for a, time, the balance-sheet showing too small a credit balance to allow of the scheme to be proceeded with at present. There are no liabilities. Championship. — The twenty-second annual Championship Congress was held at Christmas in Dunedin. No entries were received from beyond New Zealand. The result was as follows : — First prize and championship, F. K. Kelling, Wellington Working Men's Club; second prize, R. J. Barnes, Wellington Working Men's Club; third prize, A. W. 0. Davies, Wellington Chess Club; fourth prise, John Mason, Wellington Chess Club. Tjie Brilliancy Prize (presented by the president, Dr. Fitchett) was awarded by Mr F. Hollins, the adjudicator, to Mr. G. F. Dodds, Otago Chess Club. These various winners are heartily congratulated. The next congress will be held at Auckland. Rumour says that there will be some new aspirants for championship honours. It has been learned with pleasure that two new clubs have been formed' in the Auckland district and one in Nelson. Every success is wished them. Acknowledgments.— The Association's best thanks are due to the president (Dr. Fitehetl) for kindly donating the Brilliancy Prize ; to Mr. 'p. Hollins, for having again undertaken the arduous duties of Brilliancy adjudicator; to ihe several vice-presidents, for subscriptions ; to the Otago officials, for their able organising and conduct of the late congress; and to the Evening Post, for supplying copies of official reports. The annual report and balance-shpot were unanimously adopted, on the motion of Mr. Connell, sficonded by "Mr Barnes OTHER BUSINESS. The election of patron, president, and vice-presidents had to be left over to the June quarterly meeting, the clubs having omitted to send in nominations as required by the rules, it was decided to urge clubs to supply the necessary nomination;', forthwith. Mr. A. G. Feil was re-elected hon. secretary amidst applause, and Mr. W, Mackay was reelected hon. auditor. "Mr. Kelling temporarily fills the position of official reporter. Correspondence wps next dealt with. Thn Auckland Chess Club wrote that it accepted the responsibility of conducting the next congress, and that it had invited the Auckland Working Men's Club Iq co-operate. Mr. Barnes formally moved that the next Championship Congress be held in Auckland during the Christmas-New Year holidays. This was seconded by Mr. B. B. Allen, and carried unanimously. Receipt of subscriptions from the Canterbury nnd Timarn Clubs was reported. Mr. J. A. Connell gave notice tomovo that Rule I, Chapter 11, be deleted f^rom the association's rules, and that •a more lucid code of 'playing rules be adopted in lieu of the inexplicable, involved, and ambiguous rules known as "the British , Chess Code." The next item on the order paper was somewhat original. It ran as follows : — "Abuse the hon. secretary for not collecting more money." When the laughter hnd subsided, a profitable discussion ensued on how best to interest and help the small country clubs, and detached players not able to join or be active members of any club. It was suggested that these might be reached by introducing a bureau of correspondonce ( matches on the lines that are becoming increasingly popular at Home. Messrs. Allen, Barnes, Connell, and Fell were appointed a sub-committee to report on the matter to the June quarterly council meeting. The meeting closed with a very hearty vote of thanks do the officers of the* past year. Messrs. Barnes, Connell, and Kelling made appreciative references to the able \vo^: done by Mr. Fell (hon. secretary), and expressed the opinion that his re-election to the executive office would be hailed with pleasure throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion. Mr. Fell having acknowledged the complimentary references to lute secretarial labours, the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair.