SURPRISE FOR JOHN ROBERTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 1514, 9 November 1912, Page 2 (Supplement)

SURPRISE FOR JOHN ROBERTS.

MAN WHO GAVE HIM A START IN 100 UP. The retirement to his Devonshire home (rendered necessary, unfortunately, by illhealth) of John Roberts, the famous billiard player, will be regretted by all lovers of the game, for Roberts was to the fascinating indoor pastime what W. G. Grace I was to cricket. John Roberts has played billiards all over the world— India, in South Africa, in Australia, and in Canada and America. He has played all kinds of games, and he has played under all sorts of conditions. Onoe," for instance, he was playing before the late King Edward, who was being entertained by Sir Reuben Bassoon. At the suggestion of King Edward, Roberts and Lady Saasoon played a hundred up lovel, Lady Saseoon scoring in the usual style, while Roberts was confined to only one shot at each visit to the table. Despite this handicap, he only lost by three points. Naturally, Roberts has had hi® amusing experiences. On one occasion he was enjoying a rest cure at a hydro on the Clyde, and while there, preserving a strict incog., ho was worried into playing a hundred up with another visitor, who offeiod to concede him twenty-five. His opponent gave the usual mise in baulk, but Roberts ran to his points without a pause. Then, and not until then, he produced his card. In 1873 John Roberts was appointed Court billiard player to the Maharajah of Jevpore, a post which carried with it a Biliary of £500 a year, up to the time of the death of the Maharajah. "During his travels {says the Evening News) Roberts secured many trophies, such as the large gold cup, manufactured in Goelong. and presented while ho was playing in Victoria; an elephant of silver filigree work, presented by the Navah of Dacca; and a gold chalk box, encrusted with diamonds and other gems, a gift from the Maharajah of Patiala. A fine figure of Buddha came from Yokohama, bits of cold ore from the Australian goldfields, curiosities from the islands of the Pacific, red lacquer from Japan, blue Nankin china, and things picked up in all parts of the globe.