SNOOKER CHALLENGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 282, 28 November 1929, Page 10

SNOOKER CHALLENGE.

FRANK SMITH REPLIES.

In reply to E. J. Donolme's. letter of November 7, respecting his challenge to Frank Smith, jun., of Sydney, the latter

writes: —"Mr. Donohue concludes by asking me to challenge him and frame conditions of the match. All the talk of challenges has emanated from Mr. Donohue, and although I know create an unusual precedent, I will oblige him to a degree.

"Tlie letter before me contains quite a

number of inaccuracies, and though these may have crept in through lack of know-

ledge or the receipt of distorted statements, his presentation of them as facts creates quite an erroneous impression on the public mind.

"A Mr. Gollan, on behalf of Mr. Dono

hue, did challenge me to play him snooker in Auckland. I refused for many reasons. One, that as I held the Australian championship, it was the challenger's place to play here; another, that I could not leave my home, family and business for the period required to make the trip; a third, that the gate receipts could not possibly compare with the amount assured us here. So it is not a fact that I accepted the challenge on certain terms.

"The reference to his "world's record break" of 134 is very ill-advised, for nobody knows better than Mr. Donohue himself that this break was not made under match conditions, while his mention of having abandoned snooker practice for the past four months for the reason given is too childish for serious consideration."

"I am not, nor have I ever been (nor claimed to be) the billiard champion of New South Wales, but to clear the atmosphere of all doubts and misgivings and at the same time reassure Mr. Donohue that it was not fear, shortness of cash or inability to find backers which affected the previous issue, I now repeat that I am prepared to play Mr. Donohue snooker for any amount he cares to put up, and allow him as much time for practice as he requires; while, to further meet his. requirements, I will play him billiards with crystalate balls a match of two weeks, two sessions of two hours daily from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and S p.m. to 10 pm, respectively, and concede him a start of two thousand (2000) points for as much as Mr. Donohue cares to nominate, such match or matches to be played in Sydney.

"In the matter of a snooker match Mr. Donohue can be accommodated for any amount to say that he will not make one break of one hundred throughout the whole period of the game.

"As the challenger, it behoves Mr. Donohue to lodge a deposit with the Sydney 'Referee' for either or both matches, when the public will be more inclined to take him seriously."