WORKING MEN'S CLUB AND LITERARY INSTITUTE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 97, 24 April 1912, Page 11

WORKING MEN'S CLUB AND LITERARY INSTITUTE.

CHESS AND DRAUGHTS SECTION, j At the annual general meeting on Monday, Mr. F. '■K. Kelling (hon. secretary for chess) and Mr. H. G Albortson (hon. secretary for draughts-), on behalf of the Chess and Draught* Committee, submitted the following report for the year just closed: — CHESS. " The annual handicap tourney attracted a large number of entries and produced a close finish. Our club champion (Mr. R. J. Barnes) added to his many laurels by winning the first prize wath the fine score of 12 wine and 1 loss. The other prizes were won by Messrs. Wild, Burgess, Kelling, and Larking, in that order. Two enjoyable .matches were played— our team winning from a visiting Wairarapa team in June last and losing the sixth" annual fixture with the South Wellington Chess Club in September. They have now' scored three wins to our two, while one match ended in a tie. It is proposed to revive ,tho ' ladder' matches in the coming season, and" to this end draft ijules have recently been posted in the club room for your consideration. "The annual itourney, to ■ decide the chess championship of New Zealand, was this year held in Napier. Mr. Barnes, •who has competed regularly from 1890 onwards, was unfortunately unable to attend, his absence being widely regretted. In his stead we nominated Mr. P. K. Kelling, who won a minor prize ■ with, a tally of 6 wins (as against the champion's score of 7i). Our membership has thus annexed prizes at no less than twenty of the last fcwentythree championship congresses — a record of which any club might well be proud. We- gladly take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. W. E. Mason, of this city, on' retaining the chess championship of New Zealand, which honour he now holds for the fourth time in his very successful career. DRAUGHTS. "The annual handicap tourney vras commenced with a large number of entries, but owing to our former hon. secretary (Mr. J. M. Wilson) being unable for several weeks to attend to the posting of weekly drawings, etc., it was never completed. The- competitors showed that they had the' best 'interests of the game at heart by allowing the prize-money to swell the fnnd for the draughts championship of New Zealand. This important contest was hejd in Wellington for the first time since 1898. The tourney was held under the auspices of our club, and was played in our Social HalL Leading players from all parts of the Dominion competed. After a fine contest extending over a week Mr. Hiiliker, of Dunedin, won the coveted championship by the narrowest of margins- from Mr. Calderwood, of Huntly. The play in this championship event counted for a sealed- handicap tourney, in which the first prize was won by Leggatt, of our club, and the second prize by Mr. C. Reid, also of our club. We take this opportunity to extend hearty congratulations the prizewinner^ ' -*- general! . "Tnrougn. the kindness of the- general committee and sundry donors we have now several valuable works on chess and draughts. It is hoped • shortly to complete arrangements whereby these will be at the disposal of any of our mem-bers-who wish'to study the sister games. Our thanks are due to Mr Dalrymple for donating a chess laddey, and to Mr. Kelling for a- framed photo of the Eapier Chess Congress group. In conclusion! it only remains* for us to xeminu 1 members that little or nothing can be achieved' in the coming year without a. continuation of their enthusiasm and zeal'/" and to place on record our gratitude to^ilfo general committee for, kindly, continuing the support of former years, and 'to our chairman, Mr. W. I/ightfoot, and his colleagues for their valued assistance," The above report vras unanimously 'adopted by the meeting when the chairman of the chess and draughts sub-com-mittee (Mr. W. Lightfoot) presided over a large attendance. ' OFFICERS ELECTED, The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted .as follows: — President, Mr. E. " Mace ; vice-presidents, Messrs. <J. M'Nee and. W»- Lightfoot; chess referee, Mr. A. G. Fell (of the Wellington C.C.) ;' draughts referee, Mr{ J. Darling -(of.the.Petone W.M. Club);, hon. sec. ,for draughts, Mr. H. G. Albertsoni ; .hon. sec. for chess, Mr. J\ K. Kelling ; hon. treas., Mr. Jas. Wilson ; consultirtg members, Messrs. R. J. Barnes (chae^), and J. Reid (draughte) ; match committees, Messrs. Barnes, Burgess, and J. Reid for chess ; and Messrs. Jas. Wilson, Wright, and. Burgess for draughte; delegates to New Zealand Chess Association, Messrs. Dalrymple and Milesi. It was decided to accept the challenge of the Wellington East Chess Club to play a match in the Hataitai Bowling Pavilion on Tuesday next, 30th inst., and to consider the programme of further matches and tournaments at a meeting to be held at an early date. : The balance sheet of the recently-held Draughts Championship Tournamont was presented by Mr. Albertson, who was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his valued labours in organising j^nd carrying out the contest to. such a successful issue. A vote of thanks to last year's officers terminated the meeting.