WELLINGTON CHESS CLUB.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9274, 21 April 1891, Page 2 (Supplement)

WELLINGTON CHESS CLUB.

The annual meeting of the Chess Club was held in tbo Club’s toomon Wednesday. There was a good attendance, and Mr C. W. Benbow (president) occupied the chair. The Committee, in their annual report, re* gretted to announce a serious falling off in the membership of the Club. Although seven new members were elected during the year, there were now only 23 names on the roll which were to be depended upon, and when it was remembered that 27 subscriptions were required to pay the rent alone, it was clearly necessary that the number of members should be iooreosed. The subscription could be raised to £l, or the number of the meeting nights reduced ; but they believed that if members exerted their Influence a number of desirable names could be added to tbo roll, thus enabling the Committee to carry on tho Club without curtailing any of their present privileges. They had begun the year with a debit balance of £4 Is Cd, which had been wholly paid off, leaving a cash balance to credit of £1 Is sd. The season was opened with the time honoured match—Mr C, W. Beubow versus the members of the Club simultaneously, Mr Benbow winning 9 of the 14 games played, and losing 4, the other being drawn. The annual handicap tourney, for which 18 competed, was won by Mr A. I. Littlejohn with 14 wins, 1 loss, and 1 drawn game, Mr R. J, Barnes being second with 12 wins, 4 losses, and Mr W. Maokay third with 12 wins, 4 losses, I draw. Mr W. F. Barraud tied with Mr Mackay, but the latter won on playing off the tie. A draughts match was played with the Working Men’s Club Chess and Draught Club, and was won. The Committee regretted tho lack of interest in the game of draughts, and expressed a hope that more mutches and a tourney would bo arranged. By the united efforts of the Club, and the Working Men’s Club a chess congress was held in December, and it was undoubtedly tho largest and moat representative gathering of chess players yet held in New Zealand, although the unavoidable absence of Mr O. W, Benbow was much regretted. The Club was represented by Mo9srs R. J. Barnes and A. I. Littlejohn, and the former succeeded in carrying off the championship, a performance in the highest degree creditable to him, and one which reflected great honour on the Club, in which he may be said to have matriculated and graduated. The Committee recommended, in conclusion, that a special committee be appointed to revise the rules, and with a view to encouraging and facilitating the desired increase of membership, that the entrance foe be abolished. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Thirteen new members were elected. The election of officers resulted as follows President, Mr O. W, Benbow (re-eleoted); Vice-President, Mr G. Didabury (reelected) ; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr A. I. Littlejohn (re-eleoted); General Committee, Messrs A. Campbell, W. Mackay, B. B, Allen, F. H, Bakewell, P. Tait; Match Committee, Messrs G. Wright, Bakewell and Allen ; Draughts Committee, Messrs H. Phillips, A. Campbell, and A, H. Ross ; Referee, Mr C. W. Benbow ; Auditor, Mr W, F. Barraud. It was decided that the Match Committee be instructed to divide the annual handicap tourney into two divisions, senior (including olasses 1 to 3), and junior (including all below class 3). It was decided that arrangements be made to hold a telegraphic match. A special com* mittee was appointed to revise the rules. Votes of thanks were passed to Mr A, Campbell for the use of bis office for com* mittee meetings, to the retiring officers, to the Secretary and Treasurer, and to the Chairman, and tho meeting then terminated.