DRAUGHTS MATCHES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2675, 21 June 1905, Page 70

DRAUGHTS MATCHES.

TOWN v. COUNTRY MATCH. Tho annual Tcwn v. Country draughts match ■was held oil Thursday evening, June 15, in the Lower Choral Hall, the event bringing together the greatest number of draughts players — 100 — ihat has ever met for a contest in New Zealand. Shortly after 7 o'clock the hall was so full that some difficulty was experienced in pairing the players, but the task was successfully accomplished, and play started shor+Jy after 8 o'clock. Owing to some mistake, whereby board? that had been arranged for did not come to hand, sufficient boards were not in the ball to accommodate all the players, but Mr A. Sligo, George street, kindly filled the breach by lending a dozen boards and men, for which he was accorded the thanks of the town players. Mr Gardiner (Country cap-

: tain) won the toss for choice of sides, find the Country took the "black" side first. By the j conditions of piay no more than four games j were to be played, and at 10.30 the score sheet ! snowed as follows:^ i Town. Country. Wins. Draws. Wins. OF. Langston 1 Jas. Gardiner .. 0 1 J. A. Lucai 1 R- Stevenson .. 0 1 J. A. Borchani ..2 T. Blackley -. 0 2 H Montgomery 1 A. Mitchell .. 0 1 C. a Hansen* 0 W. Bell .. ..0 1 J. M. Hutton 0 F. M'Rae .. .. 1 2 Jas. Sim .. 1 J- A. Murdoch.. 0 1 R. Muir ..2 J- Ramsay . .. 1 0 P. Mark -.0 W. M'Kinna .. 1 0 F. Keeuan.. 1 J. Chapman .. 0 0 H. Holden 2 W. Forbes .. ..0 1 G. Rankin 0 J. Allen .. .. 3 3 H. Batey ..0 J. Eggers .. .. 1 2 A. Raid ..0 G-. Penny .. .. 2 0 J E. Often 0 A. Sinclair .. 4 1 W. Henderson ..2 J. Shore .. .. -1 0 L. Miller ..0 W. Sheddar* .. 4 3 G. Re<d ..0 A. O. Gray .. 1 4 G. A. Parke 0 W. Cowan .. 0 0 — Kilpatrick 1 J. Marcella .. 3 0 A. Lloyd ..0 J. M-Farlane .. 4 0 F. Peacock 1 A Brmgans .. 1 1 L. Edwards 2 W Davis .. 1 1 J. Roaey ..0 W. Aim „ .. 3 1 J. Fairbairn 2 J. Christie . . 0 0 P. M'Kenzi-2 2 T. Neill .. .. 2 1 R. Lowry ..0 J. Anderson .. 2 1 T. Dohig ..0 A. Murdoch .. 2 0 R. H. Osten 1 A.Dickie .. .. 3 2 H. Foreman 1 K. Williamson .. 1 1 J. Hale .. 1 W. Carswell .. 1 2 H. Albertsot) 1 G. Clarke- .. .. 1 0 S. Smith . 0 T. Macliie .. 4 1 J. Stevenson 2 A. M'lntyre .. 1 1 M. Da-sis . 0 D. Bower .. «. 3 1 W. L. MacLaren ..0 J. Beaton .. ..2 2 D. A. Smeaton ..0 T. Ramsay .. 0 0 J, Hastie ..0 M. Kean, .. .. 3 1 A. W. Hill 0 — Sinclair .. .. 1 G A. Tihir.an 0 T. Rea .. .. 3 0 R. Hogg ..0 J. Tinnock .. ..3 2 M. Corkin.. 1 G. Aitcheson .. 0 2 W. Dickson 0 T. Swale .. .. 0 1 A. WalkeT.. 0 W. Robertson .. 1 0• F. Forroster 0 J. Cochrauo „ 1 1 D. Brown.. 1 P. C. Gray .. 2 1 J. Morton.. 0 H. Howden .. 2 0 3". Bewley . 0 J. Edwards .. 4 1 H. Hinkley 1 J. Poliock .. 0 2 D. Scanlan 1 P. M'Kinna .. 1 49 32 74 On the conclusion of the play," the tables vcre laid for a light supper, prepared by Messrs Seai'le and Eberhardt, and ample justice was don© to the catering. The keen edge of appetite being bi anted, Mr R. Caldow (Town captain) expressed his pleasure at seeing such a large gathering, and heartily congratulated the Country team on its decisive win. One result of the big lead should be to encourage the timid ones to come forward next year, when teams of 80 aside might be expected. The speaker pointad out that the substantial win of the Country was due largely to organisation, and just a little more method was required within the Town area' to enable the- local players to successfully meet their country cousins. Mr J. Gardiner (Country captain), replying on behalf of the visitors, said the result of the match was a great surpris-e to him, even though, he had hoped- for victory. He was, however, pleased to see- the cheerful way in. ■which the Town had -taken defeat, as it added considerably to the pleasures of victory. He desired to thank their hosts fox kindness and hospitality shown to visitors, and said the Town and Country function was corning to be looked forward to as one of the features of the winter show. Mr A. Murdoch (Riversdaie) endorsed Mr Gardiner's appreciative remarks, and moved a vote of thanks to the Town players and Mr HiUiker (secretary), which was carried with nrasical honours. Mr Hilliker suitably replied on behalf of the Town team. Mr A. Dickie (Mataura) referred in appreciative terms to the good work done for the game of draughts by Mr Joseph Abernethy, through the medium of the Daily Timers and Oiago Witre^s draughts columns, and moved, that th« meeting record its appreciation and thanks. This was carried with acclamation, and Mr Abemethy briefly responded. The . following were elected to organise the teams for next year. — Country. — Captain, Mr James Gardiner (Oamaru) ; deputy-captain, Mr D. Bower (Waiwera); organisers for their respective districts — Messrs A. Murdoch (Riversdaie), W. J. Marsh (Wyndham), M. Leith (Woodlands), W. Robertson (Palrnerston), Duncan (Ranfurly), W. M'Kinna (Gore), J. Shore (Taieri), J. Paterson (Ngapara), T. Ramsay George Clarke (Moonlight), J. Christie (Inchclutha), and D. Bower (Waiwera). Town Committee. — Messrs F. Langston, J. A. Lucas, and F Hiiliker (secretary). Other matters of detail having been discussed, the gathering dispersed after the singing of " Auld iang syne." — The Districts Represented. — In response to a request from the gathering, we give the names of the country players, showing where they hail from: — Canterbury. — T. Blackley. Oamaru. — Jas. Gardiner. Palmerston. — W. Robertson, J. M'Farlane. Kartigi. — J. Chapman, J. Cochrane. Herbert.— W. Forbes. Mosgiel and Taieri. — J. Allan, J. Shore, A. M'lntvre, T. Neill, W. Carswell, T. Mackie, W. Aim, J. Sinclair, J. Marcella, T. Rae, A. Bringans. Moonlight.— F. Mackae, W. Cowan, G. Clarke, J. Eggers. Hyde.— T. Ramsay, A. C. Gray. Kokonga. — K. Williamson. Kaitangata. — G. Aitcheson. Inch-Clutha.— J. Christie, W. Davis. Waiwera— -D. Bower, W. Sheddan, J. Edwards. Clinton. — M. Keane. Gore.— W. M'Kenna. G. Penny, P. C. Gray, J. Anderson, J. Tinnock. A. Sinclair. Rivetsdale.— J. A. Murdoch, J. Pollock, H. Howden, A. Murdoch. Handeville. — J. Beaton. Wailaia. — J. Ramsay. Winton. — P. M'Kenua. Mataura. — A. Dickie. Edendale.— A. Mitchell. Woodlands.— W. Bell, T. Swals. Skippers. — R. Stevenson. — Jottings. —

During the famous VyUie's tour of New Zealand, he visited the Edendale Club, and three of his opponents theie were Messrs T. Blackley, R. Stevenson, ajd A. Mitchell. Since then those three have never met, but, by a strange coincidence, when the nanies of the pairing for the above match were Tead out. the players mentioned found themselves sitting shoulder to shoulde* at boards 2, 3, and 4.. The meeting was a pleasant one, as

may be imagined.

Mr Jas. Gaidiner mentioned at the supper that it was probable he would not be in tha Otaeo district f^\- the next nialch. and

this led to the election of Mr Bower as deputy-captain. This match makes the thiid win for the Country. The other two wins weie scored during the regime of Mr J. A. Boreham a3 Country captain. The Taieri was an important factor in the country win. This is largely due to the good services of Messrs J. A. Lucas and J. A. Boreham in visiting the Taieri last season, to meet the players in simultaneous play, whereby a keen interest was aroused that is still very much alive. There is some pleasure _in recalling, too, that it was at our siissestton that Mr Lucas was first invited to Mosgiel. HOKONUI v. BROWNS. We are indebted to a correspondent for tha following reports: — The payers of B.owns, near Winton, on May 24 met the Hokonui warriors and scored a decisive victory, as shown by tho scores: — Hokojtci. Browns. Wins. Draws. Wins. 0 Jos. M'Kercher . . . . 3 Ilios M'Lean . . 1 1 G. Hamilton 1 W. M'Lean .. 2 1 Dan M'Rae.. 1 S- Buxton .. 2 2 J. Macmaster 0 T. S. Nicol .. 2 0 D. M'Rae .. 0 Otto Zwiess .. 4 0 J. Kerr ..1 E. Zwiess .. 3 3 F. Zwiess .\ 0 Tom M'Faydzen 1 ~7 6 15 Browns team thus won very easily. After the game was over, the Browns team entertained their opponents to cakes and tea, when the usual compliments were passed. Ths Hokonui team was captained by Jamea M'Kercher, and T. S. Nicol piloted the Browns team. The return match was fixed for June 9, acd was played on the date appointed. The result was as follows: — Hokon-di. Beowxs! Wins. Draws. Wins. 1 Jas. M'Kercher „ .. 2 W. M'Lean .. 1 1 G-. Hamilton 0 T. M'Lean .. 3 3 Dan M"Rae.. 1 T. S. Nicol .. 0 0 J. Macmaster 1 S. Buxton .. 3 3 Chris. M'Rae 1 Jno. M'Kercher 0 1 Otto Zwiess. 0 P. Zwiess .. .. 3 9 5 10 Browns team winning by one game, after a stiff tussle. After the usual compliments! and a good_ cup of tea, it was decided that the combined team challenge the Winton Draught Club, the match to come off in a fortnight. WANG-ANTJI ASSOCIATION SHIELD. — Aramoho v. Eastown. — A Wanganui correspondent kind'y forwa^ss the following report: — At no time since the visit of Jordan to Wanganui has there been, such an interest manifested in draughts aa there is this season. From the' fact that six teams have entered for the shield contest, it will be easily seen what a revival has taken place. In past years it has been almost an impossibility to get three teams together, and it is to be hoped that the increased interest will be maintained. The first contest took place on June 8, at Mr Bridges' rooms at Aramoho, between the Aramoho team, captained by Mr Ewing, and the newly-formed Eastown team, with Mr D. H. Williamson aa skipper. Both teams were confident of victory, and when the names were handed in it certainly looked a very eyen thing on papei. At fives minutes past 8 the whole of the boards were busy at work. The first returns gave the Aramoho a big advantage, which they maintained up to the ninth result. Piper's and Murray's scores then made the teams equal, and it was only the last board (Holland's) which gave the victory to Aramoho, the total scores being — Aramoho 23, Eastown 21. and 4 draws. The match was one of tho best yet played for the Shield. Mr H. Gr. Caddy acted as referee. The detailed scores are* as follows : — Aramoho. Eastown-. Wins. Draws. Winsv 4 Ewing .. ..,0 — Phillips .. 0 3 H. Tregear ..1 W. Carrell .. 0 3 R. Harrison.. 0 D. Sarjeant .. 1 D. H. William2 N. Tregear .. 0 son 2 2 C. Bridges ..0 J. M'Farlane .. 2 3 Trantvetter . C H. Griffiths .. 1 0 H. Davis ..0 J. Murray .. 4 0 G. Harris ..1 R. Piper .. .. 3 3 G. Holland .. 0 A. P. Anderson 1 1 B. Gray ..0 T. O'HaUoran.. 3 1 — Souter ..1 A. Bullock .. 2 1 L. Bridges ..1 R. Parker .. 2

23 4 21 THIS «M«7E" t]V!> TTS YAGARFW. We are pleased to announce that the ma-nagernent of this journal have agreed to print in leaflet form the valuable series of articles by Mr James Mulvey, of Invercargill, lecently published in this column, on "The 'Move' and Its Vagaries." They are for free distribution to our readers, as many applications for it liave been received. If you want a copy, send address and postage stamp to the editor of this column.