DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Volume 02, Issue 2420, 2 August 1900, Page 53

DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Mr Austin Brown, mraiy years ago, says the Pittsburg Dispatch, contributed the following to 2 Vermont newspaper — " Cl.ess and checkers may be placed in plain contradiction to dice and cards. They are not games of chance in any sense of the word — so near alike that they have been called ihe sister sciences, and a rule or delineation that will apply to one will appl> equally well to ths other. Chess has been more the game of the aristocracy; checkers that of the commou people. Dr Franklin says of checkers that ' Life is a kind of game of draughts, in which, we have points to gain, competitors and adversaries to contend with ; a variety of good and ill events are the effects of prudence or the want of it.' The game strengthens our circumspection to survey the whole field of life, and take a just estimate of possibilities and probabilities; teaches us caution against putting ourselves in a bad or dangerous position, as we cannot always obtain an adversary's leave'to withdraw, but must abide all the consequences of oui action. '

English Championship Dispute. — We recently noted that all members of the English Draughts Association were invited ii express their opinion as to the Playing Con.' -j ittee's decision, and only one upheld Jacob. The London correspondent of the Leeds Mercury, speaking of this, wrote : — -The merits of the case have' not been by any meana considered. The majority of E.D.A. members, I learn, declined to discuss or go into the subject, but merely upheld the Playing Committee's decision The affair, unfortunately, ia proving a set-back to the progress of the game in London. Several prominent plaj-ers and supporters of draughts have spoken of abandoning their pursuit of the pastime, while Mr J. Stephens, of the Wanderers, is so dissatisfii"! that he has washed his hands of everything connected with the game. Mr Stephens has done much during the last two or three years to promote friendly rivalry among the players.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. R. S., Skippers. — Many thenks for favours. Had noticed and marked the 2 for 1 you man-, tion, and laid it aside to try if .Black could win. Have written you. Czae. — Your last arrived too late — paper was" printed. Thanks. Camlachie. — Right you are; but you did noi enclose your name. Thanks. - . D. A. • B. — Notes received. Bcbs. — Thanks again. Just on going to piesa we have a budget from " Czar," which shall appear next. You and all others are bound to be interested, so look out.