HUTT VALLEY CLUB

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 131, 1 December 1930, Page 3

HUTT VALLEY CLUB

: The Hutt Valley Chess Club, which hair just begun its summer recess, held a very successful breaking-up function at M" SL E. Grantham's supper rooms on evening, when 42 players were present, including 16 visitors from city-and suburba'a clubs. A number of friendly games .wero played in lighter vein, Mr. G. Wighanvs side defeating Mr. F. K. Kelling's team by one game. After supper was dispensed Mr. G. Wighani, the local president, very cordially welcomed -the visitox-s, and ex« pressed pleasure at seeing so' many' present, including the club's patron, Mr. :H. F. Johnston, K.C. He trusted that th« present happy gathering was the forerunner of many to come. He remarked that that although the club had only been formed six l months ago, it was numerically one of the strongest in the Wellington district, and it had succeeded in winning the Wellington Chess League's "B" Shield. (Applause.) Mr. Harold F, Johnston, tha patronl of the club, was the next speaker. He modestly professed to be somewhat "rusty" through having played very little chess since his college days, but it was noticed earlier in the evening that ha showed himself up-to-date in his handling of a Queen's Pawn opening, in which ha secured a- quicker development than his experienced opponent. It ; was only ia a difficult end-game that his lack o£ practice resulted in his being a move behind with his counter-attack in the final stage of the game. Mr. Johnston remarked, that he had made a good-many speeches .on sundry occasions, but this was a novel experience for him, as he had never before addressed a chess gathering. He expressed1 gratification at being patron of such', a. flourishing club," and that so much had been achieved in the initial sis months. He trusted that the club would next yeair be advanced to senior status, and' would be found in the forefront of the Welling' ton League's senior teams', tournament. (Applause.) Mr. F. J. Brooker, president of the Ngaio C.C., and chairman of tha Wellington- Chess League, was in very happy vein when voicing the; thanks- of the visitors for the exceedingly enjoyable evening provided, and also added his congratulations to the Hutt Valley representatives on their success, in winning the league's junior teams' competition, after an exciting finish with their Wadestowu and Ngaio opponents. He was pleased'to see the. three lady members- of the .Hutfc Valley Club taking part-in matches, and added that the lady members of the Ngaia C.C. had so far only played in private. Mr. W. Toomath, hon. secretary of .the Wellington Chess Club, and also. of . the New Zealand Chess Association, supported Mr. Brooker's view that the Hutt Valley C.C would have a great future. He paid a-, well-deserved tribute to : the: markedly successful pioneer labours or Mr. G. L. Giesen, the club's very energetic.hon." secretary, and voiced the general wish. that Mr. Giesen would enjoy to the full his impending trip to England. Much had been achieved since the club was formed; in May last, and this might be; said to be typical of the wonderful progress that the Petone-Hutt area had made since he .first saw it in his boyhood days some .60. years ago, when-the houses1 there were "very few and far between." His reminiscences of early days in the Hutt Valley. were most interesting. The proceedings closed with a hearty vote of.thanks, to the.host, Mr. G. E. Grantham, who is a vice-presi-dent of the club, and two presentations. The prize in the club's first tourne} r,_ % a, handicap event, was presented to the winner,' Mr. J. H. Ottoway, who formely played in the Wairarapa, and who ; was heartily congratulated on his success • iv. winning the Staunton set of chessmen presented by Mr. F. K. Kelling, ,\vhieh Mr. G. Wigham supplemented with a beautiful inlaid chess board. Mr. Wighani then sprang a surprise by presenting Mr. I<V K. Keiling with an inlaid chess board, in appreciation of. the-work done by. that gentleman for suburban clubs.: The light squares are of ash, and the red squares of Australian birch,' and the board,; which was greatly admired,1 can be folded up, as it is provided with card-table hinges..Mr. ;Kelling, who was taken aback, but very pleased with his handsome .gift,; feelingly returned thanks, and expressed the hops that he .niighfcibe spared to do: further work for the cause of chess, 'and in thab way reduce the great debt that this very fine, present and sundry other, kindnesses had placed him under. (Applause.)