BILLIARD TOPICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 262, 9 November 1906, Page 2

BILLIARD TOPICS.

I understand, writes our London correspondent, that Melbourne Inman proposes to tour in Australasia next year, and will leave England in March. Inman is not, of course, a billiard player of the calibre of Dawson or Stevenson; indeed, he is probably inferior to Weiss at the latter's best. As a money match player he has, however, few equals. He is as full of pluck and bull-dog tenacity as an egg is full of meat, and Dawson cannot beat him for nerve at critical junctures. As a losing hazard player Inman has few superiors, but his top-of-the-table play is much inferior to that of the leading exponents of the game. .Charlie Memmott, if in form, should make a • good match for Inman with 1000 start -in 9000. Probably the most exciting;game Inman has ever taken part in wis that in which he met Cecil Harverson at Thurston Hall, London, three years ago. They we_e- playing! 16,000:, op -for. £150, and after a tough fight for a fortnight the match was unfinish-d at closing time on the Saturday. The referee ordered them to finish oh the Monday, and Inman looked all over a winner when aqueer thing happened. He wanted 164 for game, and as he was about to take a stroke he noticed that the spot had dropped out of his ball. He called for a fresh set, and these being placed in position Inman sought to continue his break, only, however, to break down at the very first* stroke and leave Harversoh with the game on. The latter required 225 to win, and ran to game with an unfinished effort.

In addition to Inman you will probably have Stevenson with you again 'next year. He has planned to go to Australia at the close of the billiard season just opened here. H.W., it is said, is writing a treatise on the top-of-the-table game, which is to be published presently. There is no man better equipped for writing such a work, and published at a moderate price it is sure to command a big sale wherever the game is played. I understand that Fred Weiess, who started on a South African tour at the close of the last English season, is on his way back irom the Cape. From all we hear the South African vehturfe has proved eminently satisfactory to the Australian, who should find plenty of engagements, outside money matches, at Home this season; Billiards appear likely to "boom" this year, and Weiss, though Jacking the brilliancy of the leading lights of his profession, is a thoroughly sound and good player to watch, and is very popular among patrons of the game here.