Oamarn Tournament.

Otago Witness, Issue 2254, 13 May 1897, Page 42

Oamarn Tournament.

The Champion.— Mr J. A. Boreham, draughts champion of New Zealand, mad 3 a good lei-ord in the late tourney. He played 37 games (auother game, which was decided against him for a wrong sealed move, was merely begun), and lost only one. Tho loss occurred in the very last i-ound, when he met Mr J. A. Lucas, who scored with the black side of a " Laird and Lady." Mr Boreham seems to maintain his form well, and we congratulate him on his performance.

J. A. Lucas.— This player was rather a surprise to the competitors, as he has nqt been heard of a great deal in play. He is a fine natural player, with a keen aud quick sight of the board, and has acquired much of his skill from crossboird Ttouts with Messrs Foreman and Brodie. In' play he" is just a little too impulsive, and occasionaly moves first and thinks afterwards— whioh varies the moDotony. The cultivation of a little of Foreman's long-headedne3B would make Lucas a formidable antagonist for anyone. In the meantime his stay in Oamaru has done him no harm. He is a bit of a wa?, and is alvrajs ready with an opinion or a joke on any subject goiDg-7from the European situation to a sixpenny dinner.

J. Mulvey.— Mr James Mulvey, of Gore, winner of third priza, is, like Mr l.ucas, a young man, of quiet demeanour, yet genial ; his face betokening some strength of character, with a keen, intelligent expression. He is employed in the Gore post and telcgrap'h department. As a player he has come up rapidly in tho past year or two, being aided by an excellent memory ; and if the Southland players can manage to hold their championship tournament this year, there is sure to be some tough battles, as there are now in Southland about a dozen " players capable of holding .their own against any province in the colony. &Ir Mulvey is rather a quick player, but ia the late tourney he managed to curb his impetuosity enough to show several of the competitors " some tricks," aud landed third prize. C. Souness. — Mr Souness, of Edeudale, has been heard of before to advantage in this column. He took fourth prize, but we can't help believing he did not play up to his true form, notwithstanding that he thinks he did. Mr Souness is another sample of Southland* young blood, and holds the Southland championship. While possessing a marked individualism, ho is withall unassuming, modest, and cheerful, and has installed himself a warm favourite with all who know him, among whom we are pleased to bo numbered.

J. Hannah.— Mr Hannah, of Otautau, seems to have made a wonderful jump in the last 12 months, as far as we are able to judge. We hid no reason to think he had anything like a chance for a place in the late tourney, considering how rnauy strong players were competing ; but we were agreeably surprised to find him draw both games with Crook, and this was evidently a true indication of his power. Illness, however, checked his career, aud he was unfortunately compelled to retire from the tournament at sn early stage We hope this misfoituue will not dishearten him.

J. A. Scott.— Mr Scott, of Gore, the fourth (Southland player, tied for sixth place with J. Sim, of Teiuuka. But this position does not fairly indicate his strength in the judguient of some who know him. We remember when D. A. Brodie returned from the south the last time, ho held a very high opinion of this player's ability, and on one occasion he remarked, speaking of the proposed match with Souness : "If Sounesscanbeat Scott, he ia a 'hot member.'" However, v/ebavoto take things as they are. Certain it is, though, that Southland was worthily tepresented.

Visitors. — The week following tho tournament Dunedin -was favoured with the presence of Messrs Souness, Mulvey, Butterfleld, and Sievright (referee). We had the pleasure of a visit from these players, but a chat of an hour or so over tea was altogether too short a period f r-r the occasion. Yet it is a. pleasant memory. Messrs Lucap, Brodie, Sounesa, Mulvey, and Butterfield are all in the hey-day of life, and. the joke went round. Some people think draughts players are silent, saturnine mortals. That is a fallacy. J. H. Williamson.— We hear that Mr J. IT. Williamson, of Wanganui, has resigned his position as secretary of the association. We are sorry that it is so, as he has done good service in bringing to life the present N.Z.D.A. As, however, he has resigned owing to pressure of business, we can only hops his energy and businean tact will meet with the success they deserve. We believe Mr Murray takes his place as secretary, but have it only on' report. «A Constitution.— lt was understood that, if possible, arrangements should be made to have a full meeting of the association in Oainara to transact business and adopt a constitution. Believing it would save the Oamaru committee some work and expedite matters, we promised to send a draft constitution for consideration, which we did. It appears, though, that nothing was done in the matter, or at any rate it has not been made public.