DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2309, 2 June 1898, Page 40

DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

I 'Death of Mr John Love. — It is with deep ,£• gret.that we record the death of Mr J. Love, the president of the Lancashire Draughts As sociation, which sad event occurred on March 16, after an illness of only a few clays' duration. The deceased, who was in his 57th T year, wss tho most prominent figure in Lancashire draughts circles, and his loss will be greally felt by his many friends and admirers tfaroughoxit the county. His connection with the gain» was bj- no means a lengthy one, but having once taken it up, his enthusiasm was unbounded, .and it is mainly due to his- autiring efforts that the game enjoys its piesent popularity. He was the first to suggest * draughts association for Lancashire, and in order to stimulate the interest in that association, ha gave a splendid cup for club competition, and which is now more popularly knows *.s fcho "Love Trophy." In addition, he grently interested himself in the Manchester ajuci Diatrict and Bury Draughts Clubs Associations, and the present flourishing condition of cihesa associations is evident proof of Mr Lovo't attiring energy. — Manchester Weekly Ttmo*. English Championships.— Horn* paper? rb,* notmce that arrangements had been made lot play in the fourth .English Championship Touiney, to begin on Saturday, A.pril 9, at Liverpool, so "that we should now have news of the result. The ion. secretary, Mr J. K. Lyonij had spared no pains to make the undertaking a complete success. A list of 14 entries had been secured, probably tho most representative that has hitherto competed for English Championship "honours, containing as it dow players from the length and breadth of England, «,nd as they are mostly young and rising pl*yara a most interesting competition is untioipateaj The following is the official list' of entries :>«* W. Blakeley, Manchester: Bernard Brown, Alfred Cain, and Herbert Morrall, Livarpoolj Robert Dover, Blyth-on-Tyuo ; O. H,. Edwards and Fred F. Smith, Birmingham j Willie Gardner, Leeds, W. J. Wrat, Hfti&sx; Harry Jacob, Alfred Jordon, aacl It. S. Beß*ou London; J. A. Kear, Jan., Brisfco-L and W*lwi Lewis, Burslem. The first prix« will %• **H' and the championship: ther» mJ *ise k* second, third, and fourth prises. The " Herd Laddie ''—The G.O.M. of draughts is still on the warpath. Bg *ur recent ale* it was announoed that he hail arranged, to meet flli-'ooraera in Barr's HaO* fmcehead, Shotta (the home of several worla-seoewued players), during the month of laxaroh, and that the local talent £&£« muoi fot&esied io Juis iojrthoflseuag