Billiards

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7871, 5 August 1911, Page 16

Billiards

It is very unsatisfactory to learn that the coming match between Stevenson and Lindruni is to be a hybrid sort of a, game, and not in accordance with the rules governing billiards. Lindrum it* to receive 4000 in IS.OOO (why, it Is hard to say) and ho is not to play more than 25 consecutive losing hazards. Tins young Australian has been condemned on all sides for agreeing tosucli foolish conditions. . The general opinion is that an infinitely more interesting and profitable match would have lx>ou for the* players to have met on level terms and under tho proper Billiard Association rules. It is not thought that the match, as arranged will cause any interest,- cut tho conditions are so entirely in favour of the English player. Of course, if tho run of top of the table nursery cannons was also limited there might be some reason in it, but for the champion to debar his youthful opponent from using his greatest scoring stroke, without in any way being penalised himself, savours of the ridiculous. Stevenson On The “Red Loser.” Stevenson, since h© has seen his pub* lished interviews from Fremantle, has been filled with some concern, that ixt Iris comments on the ; red loser gama he (has been made to eay one or two* things which may easily bo misconstrued, and for which ho has, in some, quarters, been -token bo task (says the. ‘‘Australasian”). Then English, champion has been throughout one of the staunchest admirers of the skill with which. Gray handles the rod ball, and when ho said its attractions were on the. wane, he was stating a plain fact known to every, habitue of London rooms; but there is ahead of Gray next' season-any amount of new ground, whereon ho will, no; doubt, reap- the reward of his amazing skill. 1 Stevenson, however, looking into the future, thinks—and most people* must thank with him—that if professional billiards is to continue a mean* of livelihood, some limitation will have* to be put to the stroke. In speaking of the red ball stroke as a “freak” stroke, Stevenson dad nob intend to use the term in any oppio*. briouß sense; indeed, as he puts it, to. the onlooker long successions of red losers become much like Cinquevalli performing a few of bis best feats over and over again; in other words, the freak is not in the shot, but in the marvellous* acquisition of skill at the command of the executant which enables him to gc* on repeating it. - Curiously enough, tou, tho proper moaning of tho word “freak, ish” is variegated or’checkered, and .from that has come to mean “fancy” c» .whimsical," or out of the common. Th* spot-shot was legitimate until a freak player made it into a freak shot, and in defence of the game itself the shot was restricted; so with, the “anchor’* and “cradle” cannons, the genius of & single player brought about their down* fall. Legitimate, as all wore, and are lit themselves, just as is the rod loser, tho restriction was deemed, essential in the interests of the game, and for no ’ othe» reason. Moreover, they are few who* will say that those limitations were not mode in wisdom. ‘ Pcall and lleece w cat* J3i this sense sacrificed on the altar of

“the game"; therefore, why not Grayfi Wo are told there is glory in martyrdom, but it would seem that Stevenson, in. some circles, is not to bo allowed tho minor crown of the prophet, and, unlike most prophets, he speaks by the book.. Again, knowing as much os he does, Stevenson has been rash (?) enough to advise lindrum to make the three-ball game his foundation if ho covets success os a working professional. Once more, who is bettor qualified than Stevenson or Reece, who have gone through the mill, to know where tho bread and; butter of the game is to came from inj tho long run? Everybody knows that by existing ; rules, under which in all probability, the championship, will next ho played, the only tiling that can save, Stevenson from defeat at the hands of Gray, and Lindrum, too, will be the. .ivory hall, and oven that would ho a slonder reed to count on. But, going further,- and assuming that no restrict tions aro made until one of the Ans< tralians has won the honour, is it likely that tho red' loser will bo allowed to stand unrestricted? Experience tells ua no, and that is no more and ho less than: can bo attached to the meaning of any of Stevenson's utterances ou tho subject.. OCEAN! TRAVEL LTJXDLV The new "White Star liner Olympic, tho keel of which was ' laid on November 20th, 1300, was to leave Southampton on Juno 14(in on her maiden voyage, and will carry 334fi passengers, officers and crew. The most striking feature of the vessel (says the "Daily Telegraph”) ia its spaciousness. , The reception room and the dining saloon extend the whole breadth of the vessel, 91ft, while the latter is 130 ft long. There is accommodation for 530 din ore," and those who prefer the seclusion of a private diningroom can have that placed at their disposal, One hundred fireholass passengers can ba accommodated with suites of rooms in any stylo their fancy suggests, such on Empire, Georgian, .Italian Renaissance* and Dutch. These suites are placed oa the bridge and shelter docks. The novelties of the ship include a gymnasium and a squash racket court, 30£t long by 20ft wide, whilst ou tho middle dock a small gallery has been added for spectators. There are also Turkish and elec,, trie baths, a swimming bath 9ft deep and 33ft long. One of tho most remark*, able apartments on board is that known as tho Palm Court. Three electric elo. vators will whisk up and down poesen~ gers who do not- feel disposed to use tha magnificent stairway, while a restaurant, decorated in Louis XVI. style, will give facilities for passengers to dine a lacarte.