WELLINGTON LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 110, 11 May 1934, Page 14

WELLINGTON LEAGUE

ANNUAL MEETING

The twelfth annual meeting of the Wellington Chess League was held in the rooms of the Wellington Chess Club, Courtenay Place, recently, Mr. F. J. Brooker occupying the chair. The following delegates were also present: Messrs. A. T. Craven (Wellington), R. S. Gilkison, and J. W. Wood (Hutt Valley), C. B. Goddatd aad J. X.. L. Webliug (Shell), K. A. Godtschalk (Wadestown), J. I. Goldsmith, F. McCrone, and W. White (Brooklyn), J. L. Hardy and F. K. Kelling (Wellington South), W. Kemble Welch (Karon), H. M. Rosenberg (Working Men's Club), J. A. Glasgow (hon. treasurer), and H. ,N. Robie (hon. secretary). ■ The report presented by the secretary stated that:—

The Shell Chess Club became affiliated during the year, making in all twelve affiliated" clubs, and a cordial -welcome was extended to their delegates, .Messrs. Goddard and Weblihg. - The usual competitions were held during the year, five gentries being received for the A grade shield and the record number of ten'entries for the B grade shield. The former contest was again won by the Wellington Club, with Xgaio ts runners-up. In the B grade competition, which was very keenly contested, it was not possible to determine the winner until the final round had been played, the Miramar Club eventually gaining the honour. , The eha'mpion-of-champions contest resulted in a tie between Mr. A. W. Gyles and Mr. W. -White, the former being successful in the play-off. This is Mrl Gyles's • eighth win in the championship tournament _ during the past nine years, a unique achievement on which he is to be heartily congratulated. .XortV v. South Match.—This match, which was [held on April 14 and resulted in a comfortable win for the South side, was again favoured with ideal weather, conditions, as a result of which a new attendance record was established, 128 persons taking.part. A few well-kno.wn regular, .attenders were unavoidably, absent, but quite a number of new "and unattached players were present, indicating that this function holds considerable interest for chess. players generally. The Mayor..of ..Wellington .presented the..trophies won during the season. Wairarapa Match.—After having lapsed for two years the match against Wairarapa ,was. revived during the season* and was played, in Greytowri in October. This was the first occasion on!which this fixture had been held in Greytown. Although the visitors secured a comfortable win and the final scores tended to give the impression that the match was rather onesided, many of the games were very stubbornly contested. It was generally felt that every effort should be made to make this an annual event.

The report referred to the growing popularity of the game in the Wellington district. During the year the game had been introduced into the local colleges, with the distinct possibility of a 'leaguer being formed .among the secondary schools. Further developments in this xohneetion ■ are expected during the coming season. The report ■ also mentioned that owing to the league's expansion it had been" foiind necessary'to split the* B grade competition into two sections, at the-same, time mak-. ing provision for ia C grade contest:

"■' Obituary.—The league records its deepest' ,regret' at. the death of Mr. E. A. Hicks,'who although handicapped by deafness was-regarded as one of Wellington's strongest players, and who took an active part" mi the league's competitions for many years. ,'■■; : ' "•• ■

•The balance-sheet and statement of accounts showed that a small loss had been sustained- ori the season's .working,- but the • financial,position of the league was still - sound. > -.. :. ■..-•. ■ The. report and -balance-sheet were adopted, unanimously. . ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The .election of officers resulted as follows:—Patron/ the' Mayor (Mr. T. C A. Hislop); president,; Mr/ F. K. Kelling; Vice-presidents, Mr. A. T. Craven (senior vice-president of the Wellingtpn Club) and the presidents of the twelve affiliated clubs; lion, chairman, Mr. F. J. Brooker; hon. treasurer, "Mr. J. A. Glasgow; hon. secretary, Mr. H. N. Eobie; hon. reporter, Mr. F. K. Kelling; hon. auditor, Mr. A. W. Gyles; permit committee, Messrs. Brooker and Craven..The following delegates} together with officers of the league ex-officio,' were elected & management committee: Messrs. B. S. Gilkison.B. A. Godtschalk, J. L.Hardy, F. McCrone,Vand; W^.Kemble Welch. For some.time past there has been a strong feeling amongst delegates that the present committee conducting the league's" affairs was too cumbersome, and this resulted in the management committee being ap-: pointed. . " , . . A- report on the North versus Sojith match was submitted by Mr. F. K. Killing-. ' ■" ■ T-he chairman "made reference to an innovation by the Ngaio Club—a series of lectures to encourage the younger players. It was stated that this scheme was proving exceedingly useful and popular, and had already! resulted in an increase of membershit). The chairman strongly recommended other - clubs to adopt a similar policy. Mr. Goldsmith reported that the idea'was already in operation in the Brooklyn Club and endorsed the chairman's, recommendation. '■'~ COMPETITIONS. The question was. raised as to the advisability of definite dates being fixed by the management committee . for league matches, instead of merely ■a. closing date for the round, as has been the custom in the past. This proposal, however," was not carried when put to the meeting. It was understood that Mr. Alekine, the international player, proposes to,visit Australia again in the near future, and the question of the'possible "extension of the tour to include New" Zealand was discussed. The matter was left in abeyance until more information is to hand. An ■ unofficial reference was made by Mr.- J. A. Glasgow to the unfortunate financial position of the Wellington Club, whiich had for some years now been suffering a gradual drain on. its members as a direct result of the formation of suburban: clubs in. the Wellington area. This may betaken as a natural result of the growing popularity of the game in this districtj but at the same time was having a disastrous result on the membership of the oldest 'club. Although no official action was taken, it was thought that delegates might bring this point before their respective clubs with a view to financial assistance being: tendered.