Draughts Items.

Otago Witness, Issue 2104, 21 June 1894, Page 38

Draughts Items.

Boreham v. Reid— a correction.—Readers of thiß column will remember that after Mr J. A. Boreham's return to Dunedin from one of his Sydney visits he stated that prior to his leaving Sydney he had arranged to meet Mr Thomas Reid to fix details for a match of 4?20 aside, but on'tha night appointed Mr Reid failed to appear ; consequently he (Boreham) left by boat next day. In a subsequent issue of the Sydney Echo it was stated that arrangements had been made as above, but that it was Mr Boreham who failed to appear, and that he took flight to New Zealand. This letter statement has since been cast up to Mr Boreham, who has been accused of challenging a player to a matoh and then running away. We have, therefore, much pleasure in publishing the following explanation received last week from Mr Reid, which clears the characters of both parties:— "l observe in Witness of May 2 a statement by Mr Boreham that I failed to come to the Sydney School of Arts to arrange a match with him for j£2o aside. lam sure I made no such arrangement, as the Bum I was willing to pay for was £5, and J understood from Mr Boreham that unless he oould get on a match for £•20 or £25 aside he would not delay his departure to New Zealand by playing for les-i. The reference to this matter was published without my knowledge, or it would never have appeared." If we remember rightly a third party was concerned in the matter, who was the cause of the whole misund erstand ing.

Woodlands.— (From a corye. spondent). — Mr Drodie arrived at Woodlands on Friday, June 8, and was well received considering the wretched weather. There was a good muster of players at the sohoolhouse. Twenty games were played ; Brodie won 17, and two were drawn by Messrs Berry and Leith, and Mr Dawson secured a win.

Invercargill. — (From a cqrre spondent).— Mr -Brodie arrived in Invercargill by the express on the 9th, and was met at the Btation by his Worship the Mayor and Mr W. M II wrick and a host of other players. The mayor showed him round ftU tbQ jpvihHQpUSW ttf ttW t9 w 8(

not forgetting the far-famed Water Tower. The height of the tower is about 105 ft, and Mr Brodie was delighted with the view. During his stay in Invercargill Mr Brodie will be the guest of Mr Raeside, the mayor. In Mr Brodie's play in the Trades Union Hall Mr Gibson was the only one who secured a win ; Mr Walsh 3 draws, Messrs M'Gregor and L. Teggatt 1 draw each. ,. In connection with the solution of Problem 1187 below, the following from the Christchurch Prees will be interesting :— Mr Stodart, who is an old-time player, about 30 years ago held fe s W A in . 80me sittings with Mr R. Martins. We remember him defeating M'Kerrow in a sitting. In 1867 he met John Drummond in a well-known draughts resort in Glasgow, and during some pleasant banter Drummond challenged him to play an off-hand match for a small trophy, which was accepted, and after a stubborn contest, at the beginning of which it was thought Drummond would win, Stodart inflicted a signal defeat on the celebrated author, a report of which was published in the Glasgow Morning Journal. Mr Stodart, who is now well advanced in years, and not so strong as he used to be, in sending the above problem says :— 1 1 get a game occasionally, and when I get a fairly good— not too good— player, I enjoy it very much. I had a few games last week with James Baird, of Parkhead, and I must send you an endiDg I got off him. Among all the players you mention in this direction as good, only Andrew Kerr and your humble servant are left. Andrew Kerr is said to be S5, and plays yet, but ha is as strong as I am on jus feet." When we look at a lot of enthusiastic footballers we wonder how they will enjoy their favourite recreation at the advanced age of F5 ? "