OBITUARY

Otago Witness, Issue 3617, 10 July 1923, Page 48

OBITUARY

MR R. A. CI.EL AND. On Friday morning there passed away in Dunedin Mr Robert A. Cleland, one of the foremost chess players of New Zealand. He was not- only one of the strongest players, winning the championship of the local club three years in succession (after which he ceased to compete), and the championship of the dominion in 1893, but he shone in every branch of the game. xie was an expert in the problem, art, both as solver and composer, and acted as judge in several competitions which were arranged by the Otago Witness when the late Mr John Mou-at so ably conducted its chess column. He was also a painstaking member of the Adjudication Committee. The New Zealand Chess Association (of which he was president for some years) owes its present constitution to Mr deland’s efforts, and he also took a leading part in framing the rules governing match-play by telegraph. The well-known “Cleland Ladder” for grading and encouraging challenge play was the invention of Mr Cleland and his brother Hugh, and it has been adopted in many other branches of sport. The Otago Chess Club owed Mr Cleland a deep debt, as its splendid equipment of playing material, furniture, etc. (second to none in the Southern Hemisphere) was largely due to his energy and foresight. Mr Cleland was elected president in 1895, and 25 years later the members again conferred this honour upon him. He was on the committee almost without interruption for nearly two score years, and he also served as treasurer for some years. Two years ago the members recognised Air Cleland’s many valuable services by conferring life membership upon him. Unassuming and generous as an opponent. Mr Cleland took a special delight in helping young players, and his lectures and demonstrations were full of valuable information. The sympathy of the chess community of New Zealand is with his widow and two sons in their great loss. DEATH OF A PIONEER. Another pioneer whose life was filled with adventure, in the person of Air George Wright, passed away at Epsom, Auckland, on Friday week, at. the age of 79 years. Born in 1844 Air Wright, with his brothers and sisters, came to Otago in 1860. iy the ship Gala. He was attracted to Gabriel’s Gully by the gold discovery, and was afterwards at Queenstown anil Nokomai, and then worked for Messrs M’Callum & Co., sawmillers. Invercargill. About this time a good deal of information was published m the Otago Witness concerning the possibilities of Fiji, and Mr Wright, with several Invercargill residents, resolved to turn their attention to cotton planting in Fiji. They succeeded in obtaining titles to their land direct from KingOukobau. When the price of cotton fell Air W T right turned his attention to coco-nut growing, and his plantation soon became, one of the finest in the group, and was known as the Eden of Fiji. Cattle thrived in the plantation and were invaluable in keeping down some unwanted vegetation, and Mr AVriglit for many years was one of the largest simoliers of meat to Suva. He also turned liis attention to coffee-growing, and was awarded a medal at a Franco-British Exhibition for his coffee exhibit. About 20 years ago Air Wright made a home in Auckland for his wife and family, but remained on liis plantation in Fiji until about 12 years ago. A man of strong personality, he was a great manager of men and had remarkably little trouble with his workers. He bad many experiences and adventures in liis long recruiting- voyages in a cutter before the work was taken over by the Government, and he was shipwrecked on several oecassions. Twice liis plantation was severely damaged by hurricanes. Since leaving Fiji. Mr Wright and his family have visited Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia. Mr Wright enjoyed good health to tlie last. As an amusement he took to the game of bowls, and was a well-known figure on the Epsom (Auckland) green.