BILLIARDS.

NZ Truth, Issue 406, 5 April 1913, Page 3

BILLIARDS.

(By "Old Amateur.")

The failure of George Gray to connect with Fred Lindruxn m his opening games In Australia is causing much comment, and a section of the public Is twitting Gray with being frightened of an encounter with his gifted fellow- Australian, Anyone knowing George Gray gives this phase of the position slight concern, seeing that Fear of his fellow-cueists has never been a feature of the Gray makeup. While it is perhaps bad business that Mr. Harry Gray (who controls his son's affairs) does not arrange for some exhibition games with Lindrum, knowing what a draw such events would be, It is probably on account of being m some j way bound to Aiken to play him on arrival m Australia that has prevented ] Gray and Llndrutn meeting. Be this as it may, Mr. Harry Gray has not shown much astuteness, as with a victory over Lindrum, even m exhibition matches, the public appetite would be < whetted to see Gray, and Aiken m action, and much better financial results attained. Though Aiken is conceded to be a splendid player and all-round good fellow, the fact must hot be lost sight of that m any game between Gray and Aiken a big start will be conceded the Scotsman, and, win or lose, Mr. Harry Gray cannot hope for as much monetary gain for his son as would result from playing Lindrum level. Australian sportsmen, and particularly patrons of btlHards, want to see the two crack Australian cueists m action, feeling | certain that both will put forth every effort to defeat the other, and this, too, despite the fact that neither Gray or Lindrum wager a penny piece on the result It- is perhaps going a long way back, and may savor of ancient history, but the fact remains that Mr. Fred Lindrum, sen., played and defeated Mr. Harry Gray for the championship of Australia. This defeat 1b as fresh m the mind of Harry Gray to-day* as when inflicted, and I am Inclined to think this may have something to do also with keeping Fred Lindrum. jun., out of the playing picture. Unquestionably, .the rivalry of the parents has been In a great degree transmitted to the sons, and is the- important factor that makes games between Lindrum. Jun., and George Gray such exciting and keenly fought out contests. Of course, it is only on tho cloth of green that these two brilliant players display this keen feeling, which is as it should be. and away from tho billiard table Gray aad Lindrum' are tho best of friends. A Melbourno writer, "Pyramid.** m stating that either Gray or Lindrum, under the present rules, could beat any other player m the world, m my opinion goes a little too far. Gray certainly baa accounted for the best player In England In two games out of three level, that la H. W. Stevenson, but up to the present Lindrum has done nothing as good as this. It will be remembered that during the last season John Roberta played In Australia he gave Lindrum a good handicap and beat the Australian most decisively, and so far Undrum has never prevailed ovej* Ininan, Recce or Stevenson on level terms. That ho wOl do so I am prepared to admit, but so far as performances go George Gray is out ujr I himself when compared with any other j billiard player. The first season Gray played m England will live In billiard \ history for an time, for did not the "redI ball wturd" get through all his games l without a single defeat, and averaged i about SO per cue for 300.000 points. These are tacts which require some study when comparing Gray and Lindrum as billiard players. It is argued by Ltndrum, sen., that as his son used to concede $00 m $000 up before the l&tter'g departure for England, the same points now should be conceded by Lindrum In exhibition games, but this is all fudge, and any game between tho pair should bo on levei terms. Does Llndruni, sen., or anyone | else want it to bo thought that Gray has i not Improved since hla departure from Australia? Let anyone, no matter how prejudiced against Gray, read up his records If they have any doubt as to who In the better performer. It Is reasoned that as Lindrum Is a better all-round player, a fit y! Ist, and has a splendid command of the red ball (1239 from this source being his record) he la as good or a better player than George Gray. About 23 years ago W. J. Pcall made

his big "spot" break of 3304 against Charles Bawson. When the last mail left Peall was engaged m a match with Inman. receiving 12.000. m 24,000. With, four sessions to go the scores were Peall 22,000, Inman 19.770, so that the oldtimer looks to have a. winning chance. After an absence of many years, Mr. H. S. Fry, who won the "blue ribbon" on. three occasions, made his reappearance m the English amateur championship. Fry scored his points rapidly m his heat with H. S. Mason, winning his game by 407 and averaging 15. In the opinion, of good judges, Fry has an excellent chance of qualifying for the right to represent tho London section m the semi-final of. the championship proper. Sir A. Gonan Doyle, who has only been playing billiards for three years, won his first heat In the amateur championship tournament. Best runs of 27, 22 (three times), 24 (three times), 23 and 20 (twice) were made by the novelist to win by GOO to 460 x>f his opponent, Mr. C. N. S. Willis. Darlington Smith, though he has been beaten m some games, m the big London tournament, has won every money match In which he was engaged since entering "big" billiards. Amongst his victims are included Newman. Harris (three times), and H. E. Breed, the "ex-amateur. John Roberts baa left Australia and has gone to Java. The veteran has Improved somewhat m health, aad the . trip m the smooth waters inside tho Barrier Reef Bhould thoroughly restore the billiard wonder to perfect health.. . ■ Tom Recce defeated T. Aiken m the big London tournament, giving the Scot 500 start m 9000 up, and winning by 2874. - " >■< The F"g"«h championship looks a pretty good thing for Inman, the scores-' at latest advices being Inman 5490 to Recce's 7&46. ■ _ Miss Ruby Roberts played an exhibition game during Easter week, the lady receiving 5000 start In 8000 up. Much j improvement is noticeable In the play of | the lady champion, while Williams gave I a lovely versatile display,, of, his skill. • | A suburban man, who spends his lelsure moments m messing about hia fowlhouse, bobbed his head 'over the fence to tell a neighbor the o(her evening that *Tve made the best fowlhouse In tho street all out of my own head, and I've i enough wood left for another." "I'd take a load of firewood off you. only I know I that sapwood won't burn." said the other, doubtless green with envy. Maeterlinck, the author of "The Blue Bird." U devoted to outdoor life. He works out of doors most of the year. Skating, fishing, gardening, walking, motoring, are his favorite- amusements. In tho winter be Uvga roses of Grasae, m tho Alps Marl times. Here it was he thought out '"The Blue Bird." The rest of the year he lives at the old Norman abbey of St. Wandrille, a wonderful old bouse, which has hardly been touched or altered for centuries. It is surrounded by, a great garden, full ot mysterious paths and grand old trees. Flowers ar* everywhere— for the poet is a famous gardener, and is never happier than when tending bis dowers or w&tqfaing his bees. His books on "The Ltfe of ! a Bco" and "The Intelligence of Flowers" reveal some wondrous and unexpected secrets of nature.