NEW ZEALAND DRAUGHTS ASSOCIATION.

Evening Star, Issue 10903, 11 April 1899, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND DRAUGHTS ASSOCIATION.

A dinner was tendered to Mr and Mrs Jordan and the visiting draughts players by the! Dunedin Committee of the New Zealand Draughts Association in the European Hotel' last evening. Mr Abernethy, chairman of the ' Committee, occupied the chair, and was sup- \ ported by the president of the Association (Mr A. Beck). Mr Jordan was too ill to attend, but Mrs Jordan occupied a seat near the chairman. The mayor apologised for his absence. The dinner arrangements were in the hands of a capable staff, under the supervision of Mrs Walsh, who, it will suffice to say, fully sustained the reputation she has long earned as a first-class caterer. The Chairman referred to the fact that no formal welcome had been accorded to Mr Jordan on his arrival in town, and explained that this was due to the steamer arriving some hours earlier than was expected. He (the now wished to extend a hearty welcome to Dunedin to Mr Jordan, to Mrs Jort dan, and the visiting players. He wished to assure Mr Jordan that his visit to Dunedin had been beneficial to draughts players. He had pushed the game ahead, and awakened an enthusiasm by his wonderful abilities as a player. In referring to Mr Jordan as the champion of the world, he mentioned that that gentleman introduced somo of the latest evolutions in the science of the game. He stood one rung higher on the ladder of perfection than had been attained by his predecessor, and by his personal amiable qualities he had made friends with all with whom he had come in contact In speaking of Mr Jordan as the champion, it reminded him of the death of the ex-champion, Mr Wyllie, who was esteemed in many ways, particularly as a player. They wera most fortunate in having a vißit from Mr Jordan during the tournament, and it was quite evident from his play that there were many steps to be taken before the New Zealand players could reach the high pinnacle on which Mr Jordan stood.

Messrs Mulrey and Hilliker also spoke a few words of welcome to Mr Jordan, and the latter presented him, through Mrs Jordan, with a purse of £5 5s from the local Committee of the Association. Messrs Caldow and Lome extended a warm welcome to the visiting players, the former commenting on the fact that all the young players -had come out on top. He was pleased to see that the younger generation were taking up the game of draughts. Messrs Beck and Boreham congratulated Mr D. A, Brodie on winning the championship, and later on the ohampion was decorated by Mrs Jordan with the gold medal won by him, and the lady also handed him the purse of sovereigns which constituted the first prize. Messrs Trainor and Butterfield congratulated Messrs Gardiner, Mulvey, Beecot, Scott, and others who had attained prominence in the contest, and the prizes were distributed by Mia Jordan. The Chairman said that when they remembered that £SB had been donated in prize money, and that there wore other expenses besides, they would have some idea of the work the secretary had done in the matter. There was no doubt that the greater part of the work had fallen upon the secretary (Mr Hilliker), and that he had carried out his duties successfully everyone must admit. The tournament had been the best that had been held in New Zealand in every way. So impressed were the visiting players with the satisfactory arrangements that they thought something should be done to reoognise Mr Hilliker's services, and they decided to present him with a gold guard. The chairman then handed over the present to Mr Hilliker, who, in returning thanks, said that he had been ably assisted by the whole Committee and the chairman. Several songs and recitations were given during the evening. Votes of thanks were passed to the Press for their assistance in connection with the tournament, and wie customary compliments to the chairman closed the meeting.