"I want my year as president to be the year of good manners at the bridge table," said Peter Flynn of Tramore, Co Waterford, on assuming the office. He succeeded Marie Cummins (Dublin) at the annual general meeting of the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland in Athlone.
The vice-president, Joe Moran (Dublin), said work began last month on the new national headquarters in Templeogue, Dublin, and it was expected that it would be finished, at latest, by Shrove Tuesday next. At this stage £65,338 of the £126,105 needed has been raised by the various regions - each of which has been set a different target in proportion to its membership.
Mr Moran commended the members of the North Munster Region, who have over-subscribed the amount they had been asked to raise, and the North Midland Region, which has already paid 96 per cent of its share.
The percentage paid by the other regions to date is as follows: 3rd best, Northern, 72; 4th, Dublin South, 62; 5th, South Midland, 49; 6th, North Eastern, 47; 7th, Eastern, 45; 8th, South Munster, 39; 9th, Dublin North, 34; 10th, North Western, 31; 11th, Western, 30; 12th, South Eastern, 29.
The general secretary, Paul Porteous, said in his report the association now has 25,432 members in 515 clubs, but he believes that some clubs are not affiliating all their members. He appealed to the clubs who don't run classes for beginners to do so next season, and thus strengthen the association.
While he mourned the passing of members during the year he paid a special tribute to the late Paddy Walsh (Galway), who had been editor of the Irish Bridge Journal for 19 years.
Other honorary officers - president-elect: Kay Molloy (Kilkenny); chairman: John Cunningham (Mullingar); secretary: Una Walsh (Galway); treasurer: Clare Pippet (Wicklow); auditor: J.F. Bevan (Dublin).