WANGANUI DRAUGHTS ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2719, 25 April 1906, Page 66

WANGANUI DRAUGHTS ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the Wanganui Draughts Association was held on April 9 in the T-Y.M.I. rooms, a large number of members being present. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr W. Armstrong (reelected); vice-presidents, Mr M'Cosh (reelected), Mr J. Soler, Mr A. K. Harris (reelected), Mr C. Bridges (re-elected); secretary and treasurer, Mr J. Smidt (re-elected). The president presented the Championship Shield to the captain of the Wanganui firelights Qlvjb, and; ia a. iiappj speech com-

raliraented the winners on 'their great victory. Mr J. B. Murray' Suitably replied.. on' bahaif of his club, arid - spoTce" some words of enccuragemeni to the losing teams. The- presentation of the championship medals was then proceeded with, 3ir J. B. Murray receiving the senior char&pionship medal. Mr P Keegan the junior championship, and Mr S Phillips the third class championship. The Wanganui Club having won the shield outright, -the „ question of providing another one was discussed, and, to show how enthusiastically the 'members present entered into tli-e- question it vaay be mentioned that a subscription list opened in the room scsulted in "the sum of £5 15s being received. Any draughts players who" feel inclined to heln are invited to do so; subscriptions maybe paid to the secretary (Mr J. Sinidt) or to the different club captain?. It was decided to invite the local jewellers to supply drawings and prices for --a suitable" shield. - Tho closing of entries for-thp. Shield aiatch©3-was fixed for May 1, 1906. '' A special vote of lhanks was accorded to the press for the way it had reported tho meetings and matches during tho year. Mr J. 1 Smidt received a hearty vote of thanks for his services during" the last two years. A' vote of thanks^ was ' also passed to - ihe "- T.Y.31.1. Club for the use of their rooin'ior the meetings during the' year , v . • The question of "having, -the association's rules printed wasi left in the hands cf 'the secretary to report "at the next meeting^- ; •_ The following is the substance of the third 1 annual report read -and adopted at "the above meeting : — " : ' v The season just passed has been a success in every way. There Trwe .bix" clubs affiliated J, during the year, and the high standard ' .of " play has bsen maintained. Six teams' entered for ihe Shield matches, and some veryexciting matches and close finishes were witnessed. The Wanganui Draughts Club again, came out on top, winning all its matches, with the T.Y.M;I. Club again in second place. • These two clubs always make a great fight for first p'.ace, the T.Y.M.I. being the runnersup for- three years. The positions of fch' teams at the finish were as follow: — Wanganui ,> 10 whis; T.Y.M.I. I. S wins, 2 lest; - Aramoho, -1 -wins. 4. -lost. -1 dsawn.; Eastown, - 3 wins, 6 lost; Cosmopolitan^ 2 wins, 7 3ost, 1 drawn ; T.Y.M^I. 11, 1 win. 9 lost. As ,ihis - is the third year in succession that^ tihe Wanganui Draughts Club ha 3 won the, Shield contest, the trophy now. becomes " its '- property. I would suggest that subscriptions bo raised amongst the -draughts players of tho district towards procuring anather shield,*and thatjthe trophy be competed lor annually, but should remain the property of the association, instead of being won outright a« in the past. The committee decided to hold three championships this year — senior, 'junior, and third class, and its decision was well rewarded by the record number of entries received — namely, eight in the senior, ten" in the junior, and fourteen in the - third-blase. Mr J. Anderson was appointed classifier, and he is to bs congratulated- on the'way'he"did,,his work, as there- -were tjo poxnplftints •, "amongst She competitors, it is a-matter; for v ' ■ regret that there were so- many" forfeits during the. matches; ; .,This is accounted foi, no" doubt, . by the general elections.t aking 'Place 'at : the ' time." The Senior ChampionsbllK'.'was .won." ; this .year by- Mi" J. JBS Murray,' who' yreilfc ' through the- cbhtesti without thej.. loss "of * , life, Mr W. H. - Sinitli 'filling second place- '• The Juiiior Championship' 'fell, "to M:, 'J? Keegan, who also, came through, without" 'mis- • hap, Mr E. J. William* securing ' second place. The Third Class Championship was - won by Mr S. Phillips. Mr J. Andersonsuffered a great loss during the year through the death of his beloved wife. A letter of condolence was sent to 'him by the association, also an artificial wreath as a mark of esteem in which he is held by 'his fellow draughts players. The finances of the association are in a very healthy state, th. balance sheet sHowing a credit balance on. the year's work of £1 17s.— J. Smidt, Hon. Sec.