DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2299, 24 March 1898, Page 48

DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

New Zealand Championship Tourney.—The secretary of the Wellington committee forward 5 the following information dated March 15 :—": —" A large meeting was held last Wednesday. It was decided to start play on E<-ster Monday ; entries close on Monday, April 4. Mr John Leggat was appointea secretary pro. tern. A large woiking committee of 30 was appointed. Tourney committee to be el» cted to-morrow night Lord Ranfuily has accepted patronage of association, and Sir R. Stout vica-prtsidfiicy. Subscription sheets will be kept open till play starts., Subscriptions coming in a deal b>-tt».r than was expected." . Scottish Tourney.—At the conclusion of the last game in the Scottish championship, which was woii by Freedmun, the audience rose and enthusiastically cheered the youog champion of 19. In the absence of Mr Gilbertson, Mr Bryson mounted the platform, accompanied by a fewgentlemen of note, and made 'he presentation of prizes as follows:—lst, H Freedman, champion-f-hip and £20; 2nd, James Feme, £!0 ; 3rd, James Wyllie ("Herd Laddie"), £6; 4th, William Campbell, JS'. Mr Freedman returned thanks for the kindness shown him throughout the tourney. Mr JPeirie congratulated the young man on hjs splendid victory. The play, he said, was the hardest he-ever played against, and he had no doubt that Freedman would make his mark. The "Herd Laddie" said when he watched * the play of Ficdnian that night he was thunderstruck; he never saw better. ',_„,, I English Association.—The Liverpool Weekly I Mercury announces that fair progress is being: made wi'.h the organisation of the proposed English Draughts Association, adding that, in the event of a successful consummation, the following players will compete for the title of champion of England :-Dunne (Warrington) Gardner (Leeds), Hj m (Manehe«ter). Jewitt (Hull), Kear (Bristol), Wray (Halifax), trgether with half a dcz-.n of the London pbyers, including J. Birkinshaw, tha champion of London, &net Mr H Jacob. A School of Players "—it is interesting to note that the school attended by Harry Freedman, Scottish champion, when a lad in Dundee numbered amongst its scholars at the Fame time H. F. Shearer (uorth of Scotland champion), R. Fraser (the internationalist), J. A. Milne (present ! champion of Dundeel, and that spiendid young player, the late Angus Shearer.—People's Journal.

I The total number of soldiers now possefsing the Victoria Cross is 148. Of this number, including the namea of Lieutenant-colonel Adam?, and Lieutenant Costello and Viscount Fincastle, who have ju^t been awarded the V.C., 35 are Indian officers. Of the 35 no fewer than 18 won the Gross during the mutiny. Lord Roberts is the only one of the 18 in active service. Influenza and Bad Colds.— G. Bonningtcht, of Chriafcchurch, wishes to call public attention to the fact that his well-known article, CarbAgebn Irish Moss, is being freely but miserable imitated in the district of Otago, and would guard purchasers against beicg misled by auch. WORTHLESS PBBPAJ3ATIONS.