CHESS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 121, 25 May 1931, Page 3

CHESS

THE WELLINGTON LEAGUE

The Wellington Chess League held its ninth annual general meeting on Wednesday afternoon in the chess room of the Wellington Working Men's Club and Literary Institute. Mr. F. J. Brooker (vice-president) occupied the chair. The following were also present:—Messrs. A. AY. Gyles, C. H. Bcggs, AY. J. Wood, D. Stephens, J. 11. Turvey, R. Batlersby, AA r. Kemblo Welch, F. K. Kelling, J. A. Glasgow (lion, treasurer), and J. L. Hardy (hou. secretary). .Apologies were received from Messrs. AY. Mackay (president), and AY. Berry (vice-pvesident). Mr. J. L. Hardy presented the 9th annual report as follows: — Rules. —During the year the .league's rules were reconsidered. A general revision was made. The thanks of the league are due to the subcommittee who did the spade work in this connection. North v. South Match^-The league jivere favoured with fine weather for the North versus South match, which was held on 3rd May, 1930, the attendance of players was 124, which constitutes a record. Included among those present were four visitors from the Wairarapa.- His Worship the Mayor presented the prizes for the league's competitions and also those of clubs. The thanks of the league was due to Messrs. Kelling, Toomath, Jessup, and Godlsehalk for their labour in making the evening the success it undoubtedly whs. Membership.—During the year the membership of the league was increased by the affiliation of two new clubs, the Hult Valley Chess Club and the Karori Chess Club. It is very gratifying that the game is making such progress in the suburbs, and the executive of the league wishes to tender to the new clubs a very hearty welcome to chess circles. There arc now eight clubs affiliated, namely, the Ilutc Valley, Karori. Ngaio, Port Nicholson, AVadestown, Working Men's Club, AVellington, and AA 7ellington South Chess Clubs. Competitions.—During the year the usual competitions were held. T)i<\ A teams competition drew five entries, Working Men's Club being the winners with an unbeaten record, closely followed by the Ngaio Chess Club with three wins' and one loss. In the B teams tourney six clubs entered. This event produced a very exciting contest, as the Hutt Valley, AVadestown, and Ngaio clubs each won 3'A matches, and the AA^orking Men's Club 3 matches. On the tally of games being counted, the Hutt Valley Chess Club secured first place with 18' A games, Wadestown being runners up with IS games. It is satisfactory to note that no clubs lost their matches by default this year, whic state of affairs.your executive trusts will be repeated in future years. The champion of champions tourney drew six entries. It is a matter for regret that very little interest appeared to be shown by competitors in this event. . With the exception of the winner and the runner up, no competitor played more than three games. Your executive trusts that delegates will .impress on their club's representatives the importance of the tournament. Mr. A. W. Gyles won the tourney for the sixth time in succession, securing 4 wins and 1 draw. Mr. F. K. Kelling was runner up with 4 wins and 1 loss. Your executive wish to congratulate the respective winners on their success. Annual Matches.—A streng team from the league visited Masterton during the Labour Day week-end and a very enjoyable series of matches was played. The league is deeply indebted to the Masterton players for their hospitality. It is greatly to be regretted that the fixture against Palmerston North fell through this year. New Zealand Championship Congress.— This event was won this year by a member of one of our clubs. The league wishes to tender Mr. A. AY. Gyles its heartiest congratulations on his success. During the year a social evening in honour of the champion was held under the auspices of the league, and a suitable presentation was made to him. Balance-sheet.—The statement of the leagues finances for the current year is submitted herewith by your hon. treasurer. Acknowledgements.—Your executive wish to place on record their appreciation of the kindness of the Working Men's Club, who have placed at the disposal of tlie league a room for meetings. The untiring efforts of Mr. Kelling in the cause of chess in this city are so well known as to be axiomatic. However, your executive wish to thank him in particular for the many hours he has spent in reporting fixtures and in the management of the annual North versus South match. . Mr. J. A. Glasgow, hon. treasurer, presented the balance-sheet, which shows a small credit balance on the year's operations. The trophy fund that has been built up for several years past now disappears from the league's accounts, as trophies for the three annual competitions were bought during the year. The report and balance-sheet were adopted unanimously, tributes being paid to the valued work of the executive officers. The election of officers resulted as follows: — Patron, His AVorship the Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop (subject to his acceptance); president, Mr. AY. Mackay: vice-presidents, Messrs. F. K. Kelling (Wellington C.C.), A. D. Pickard (Working Men's Club), AY. Berry (Wellington South CO, F. J. Brooker (Ngaio C.C.), A. J. George (AVadestown C.C.). D. Wild (Port Nicholson CO, H. I. Bennett (Karori C.C.), and G, Wigham (Hutt Valley C.C.); chairman, Mr. F. J. Brooker; hon. secretary, Mr. J. L. Hardy; hon. treasurer, Mr. J. A. Glasgow; hon. reporter, Mr. F. K. Kelling; hon. auditor, Mr. A. AA^. Gyles; permit committee, . Messrs. AY. Mackay and F. J. Brooker. It was reported that, thanks to a few donations, there was a profit of eight shillings on the recent opening-of-the-season match, when AA^elliugton South defeated Wellington North by two games (25 ]i to 23%). Nine of these matches have now been played: each side has. won four of them, and one ended in a tie. Three entries have been received for this season's senior team's tourney, and six for the B grade team's contest. The chairman and hon. secretary were empowered to receive belated entries as the Brooklyn Chess Club, which wishes to. take part, is not being formally launched till next Saturday. So far six nominations have been received for the annual cham-pion-of-champions tourney, which promises to be the best of its kind yet held in this city. The meeting concluded -with a hearty vote of thanks to last year's office-bearers, and a similar tribute to the AA Torkinp; Men's Club for once more placing its chess room at the league's disposal. '