BILLIARDS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11411, 6 January 1923, Page 8

BILLIARDS

STEVENSON ON NEW 2EALAND SPOTTING THE WHITE. During the tour of H W. Stevenson in New Zealand, everyone tried to give him as good a -time as possible, and to provide him with as good conditions for bis games as it was sible to get. Yet in writing Home to English papers he is far from complimentary to the Dominion, ‘ for he says: “I made three breaks over tho hiupdred • in this town, and as I had to contend with the -hustle of tray.oiling, poor lights of all descriptions over the tables, slack cloths and tables of various heights, it will he patent that my ■performance was not a bad one.” So far as Wellington is concerned any of the best amateurs should have put* up a decent record for they were not standards, and he did put up some excellent breaks here. Throughout New Zealand- the makers keep to a standard height of 2ft 9fin to 2ft lOin, and although there may be one or two old fashioned tables in the country, it is very unlikely that Stevenson came across any of them. No complaint could he made about the conditions he found at Auckland, and at Christchurch there is also little cause for dissatisfaction. Speaking with experience the appointments and conditions in New Zealand rooms compare very favourably with those at Home, and there are rooms with tables good enough for any professional to play on. It is hardly the weather for big billiards, and in consequence a change has been made in the programme at the Strand Billiards Parlour. The

big tournament has been postponed until the winter, and another tSurnament, for which no entry fee is payable, is being run in its place. Abotomey is practically running -this for the benefit of his patrons, and there is a first prise of £3 and a Billiards, Ltd., cue for the second. Entries close in a few days and play commences after ''the first week in February. . The “Referee” pays ns the compliment of quoting the stony of how Stevenson broke do* a in his big break against Abotomey, due to the reflection of the inner race Of a gold watch with which an enthusiast was timing the break. It is hardly likely that the Billiards Association will adopt the suggestion that the 'opponent’s ball should be spotted after it has been Docketed. Breaks are alijeady big enough, and it take 3 the Association all its time to devise methods of keeping down the breaks rather than affording facilities far making still bigger ones, and for that reason the idea is impracticable. Amongst the big men the breaks would be so large that tbswpublic. would tare of seeing one man continually, at tho table. » Arrangements are being made for an Empire amateur championship to take place next year, in which compo balk may be used. This is a concession which should have bees made to over seas players long age. and also it the large numbers of English playen who are more used to eomposfltior bails. A new room with three tables luu just been opened at liyalt Bay.