BANQUET TO MR JAMES WYLLIE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1874, 21 October 1887, Page 10

BANQUET TO MR JAMES WYLLIE.

The draughts players of Dunedin and sur•rc/tulding districts entertained the veteran •• UeVd liaddie^ at dinner in theDuaedin Chess ; &nd Draughts Club room, Baldwin Hotel, on Saturday night. There was a very large gathering of gentlemen present, including represents* tives from the Taieri, Sawyers' Bay, Portobello> Highcliff, North East Harbour, Kaikorai, &c.» &c. Mr William Houston (president of the club), ocoupied the ehair> and Mr W. Id, Duthie, of Higbcliff, was vice-chairman. The tables Were beautifully decorated and abundantly supplied with good things, which seemed to be fully appreciated. The C&aibman in a Jew appropriate words proposed the tdast of '"TJie (Jueen and Royal Family," and expressed the hope that her Majesty would be long spared to adorn her position, and show a bright example to her subjects by the faithful discharge of her duties as Queen and mother. The sentiments were heartily reciprocated. The Chairman then said that he had another very pleasing toast to propose, and that was " The Game of Draughts," He felt sure that all present were delighted at havihg as their guest the' renowned Mr Wyliie, the draughts champion of the world — a gentleman who had crossed swords with all the experts of Britain and. America; and come o& with flying colours. Mr Wyliie w&s now doing an Australasian tour; and his record so far was something marvellous. The game itself was of very ancient origin, and was so exhaustless in its resources that it was impossible for any intellect to grasp all its beauties or solve all its mysteries. It had votaries in all countries, but it might bo said to be the national game of Scotland. Mr Datid R. Hay proposed the toast of " Kindred Games," and in doing so said that it would be well for the colony were the games of chess and draughts more studied and played in the family circle than they were at present, as they afforded the highest intellectual enjoyment in thfe way of innocent amusement that the hvlman mind was capable df. They would also p>ove a healthy corrective to the fervlsh excitement which usually permeated colonial life. Were the youth of the colony to study these games in a scientific manner they would be rewarded by the keenest e»]oyment, and have the satisfaction of kndwing j that their time was not being frittered away, as j was too often the case in other amusements ; j for thoy WOlild be improving their minds almost unconsciously in the struggle for supremacy over the board. Mr John P. Bell then said that he had the honour to propose the toast of the evening — viz., " Our Guest, Mr Wyliie." He need hardly say how pleased all were in having the opportunity of welcoming to our shores so distinguished a player as the " Herd liaddle." All had heard of I him eVei. 1 since they had taken an interest in the game, and many of those present were acquainted with him in the old country, and had been beaten by him too, were they candid enough \ to admit It. At all events, the pleasure of having him in their midst Was great indeed ; and. he felt sure that this visit of the " Herd Laddie " Would I arouse a livelier interest in the game than ever. He felt confident that as the beauties df the game became iiiore generally known many would avail themselves of the opportunity of joining the club, so as to improve their skill in playing. He might mention that during his Australian tour Mr Wyliie had played about 1860 games and lost only two or them, 90 being drawn, and the remainder wins for the champion. He sincerely hoped that New Zealand would make a better record. As travelling in the colonies was very expensive, the players here thought that it would be a graceful thing on their part to present Mr Wyliie with a purse of sovereigns as a tangible mark of their esteem and an appropriate acknowledgment of his kindness in visiting the colony. He how had great pleasure in presenting the lk Herd Laddiej" in the name of the subscribers, with a purse oil sovereigns. Mr Wyllie, in reply, stated that he felt deeply indebted to the draughts players of New Zealand for the great kindness he had received at their htinds since coming among them. He had uo idea that he would meet with &uch crowds of draughts players in New Zealand. The purse he would never part with as long as he lived, but would keep it as a memento of their great kindness. He hoped that some day New Zealand would produce a " Herd Laddie " of her own even hetter than himself; and that might be in his own lifetime. However, he was not de:ul yet, and would do bis beat to uphold his reputation as long as he could. He sincerely thanked them for their present. Mr Hay proposed "Our Visitors," coltpled with the name of 3!r J. Shore, of Riccartou. He was glad to see so many districts represented ; and Mr Shore's enthusiasm for the game might be imagined when he rode over 40 miles one day to see the interprovincial draughts matoh with Canterbury. Mr J. Shore responded in an appropriate marine?. The Vicß-CHAiMiAN said that he was proud to be present on such an eventful occasion, f'e had heard of the " Herd Laddie " ever since he was a boy, and it afforded him the highest gratifical iui to have the pleasure of meeting him. He had no doubt that this visit of the champion would do more to stimulate an interest in the game than anything else could; and he heartily wished that the players of New Zealand would be able to score a few wins from so redoubtable an antagonist. He hoped^ Mr Wyllie's visit would prove a success financially, and that he would enjoy his tour throughout the colony. He had very great pleasure in proposing " The Press," coupled with the name of their esteemed friend Mr David R. Hay, chess and draughts editor of the Otago Witness. They all knew how much they were indebted to Mr Hay for his exertions in promoting the interests of these two scientific games throughout the colony. Mr Hay, in reply, said that it was chiefly to his valued contributors and correspondents that the chess aud draughts columns were so interesting. He could assure them that he would do his best to keep up the reputation of the Witness, and he had no doubt that he would be heartily assisted in his efforts by the chess and draughts players of the colony. During the evening the proceedings were enlivened by some capital songs by several of the company present. Mr H. Howes gave "The squatter's daughter" and "Beautiful Nell " ; Mr James Sim, "My Highland home " ; Mr Thomas Dickson, " Robin Adair " and ° The bonnie hills o' Airlie"; Mr John Christie, " Scotland yet " ; Mr C. Hellyer, " The Connaught boy " ; Mr James Dickson, "My native land " ; Mr R. Telfer, a medlej ; and Mr J. P. Bell gave the humorous recitation "The Rielaudman's prayer," which fairly convulsed the meeting with laughter. After passing a hearty voto of thanks to Host Reade for his excellent catering and singing •'Auld Lang Syne," one of the pleasanttst j meetings of draughts players that has ever takon place in the colony came to an end just in time for the country representatives to catch the laic trains;