BILLIARDS.

NZ Truth, Issue 511, 3 April 1915, Page 12

BILLIARDS.

— • — = — I . (By "Fluko.") i George Gray, the red ball marvel,. is beginning to make the "ivories" speak with a fluency equal to the composition ball. * His preliminary runs of 1016 and 1054 have now been superseded by a compilation of. 1107, made entirely off the red ball. The pity is that pere Gray kept the lad so long m practice at this particular stroke, to the detriment of his "all round" play. Smith, of Darlington, was sensible m this connection, for he divided his attentions between both departments, as a result of which ho was the first player to knock Gray off his undefeated perch and is now galloping with the leaders of the profession as an allround artist. * # # Enthusiasts both m Sydney and m Melbourne will shortly havo the pleasure of witnessing a meeting, on level terms, between young Fred Lindrum, champion of Australasia, and Albert E. Williams, the young Staffordshire professional, recently returned from a trip to England, where it was his intention to enter for. the English championi ship. Owing to the war, however, the championship was abandoned this year, and there being no chance of a cut at any of the top-nbtchers. Williams returned to the land of the golden fleece. Since Williams defeated Lindrum 9ft the mark a couple of years back, there has ■ been much comment as to whether, he could not repeat the doso. It is known to a select few that, during the game referred to, an unfortunate contretemps occurred, which marred the spirit of the game and the effect of thp victory,. and, having this m view, the pro's and con's of another meeting' have since been freely discussed. However, all's well* that ends well; the hatchet has been buried, and Williams is putting Lindrum to the ( tost of defending his reputation on the board of green m two matches of 16,---000 points each, on level terms, the first m Melbourne, from 12th to 24th mat., and the second m the tournament hall of Heiron and Smith, Ltd., at Billiards, Ltd., m Sydney, commencing oh' Monday afternoon, 3rd May, at 3 o'clock. Lindrum is a born blltfardlst, and , brilliant m the extreme. Williams is an artist all ovor. His clean delivery, delicacy of touch, rapidity m decision, and vast knowledge of every department ot the game proclaim that he has all qualifications for championship honors. ' * # m ■ Ex-champion Harry Stevenson writes stating that, In view of the continuance of the war, he has decided to abandon his proposed tour of Australia this year. All being well, he will make all necessary arrangements for a tour about April of next year, when it is hoped the sudden demise of Kaiser Bill and his murderous assistants will have long been forgotten. The genial little "Apostle of Touch" hos been on the sick list, but he managed to get some of his own back from Tommy R«ece by defeating the latter m the Burroughs and' Watts tourney. .What a marvellous player Stevenson js, and what might he have been had his health stuck to him? At '"all ovor the green" billiards, no other living

player has the record of Stevenson for large breaks, from four figures downward, for averages and for speed and play. •.• • * Our boys at Trentham Camp arc now well catered for In the game of billiards. Messrs. Bird and Jensen, of this city, have just installed two fiillslsr.ed tables, which makes the room complete -with four tables. ♦ # ♦ , _ In the course of the next few weeks, what will be absolutely the acme of perfection m the way of a billiard room will be opened by Mr. A. Guy Carless. Messrs. Bird and. Jensen have the complete furnishing of the room, which starts with eight full-slss^d tables made of solid oak. N*o expense is bejng spared to make this room the best of its kind m the Dominion. The appointments will be resplendent with tho best effects. most .suitable to players. This room is situated on the ground floor of Tanning's Buildings, Manners-street, Is well ventilated and excellently lighted- Mr. Carless, the proprietor, is thoroughly conversant* with every department of the game on the cloth of green, and once installed m his palatial room will endeavor to enter the best possible to patrons. The date fixed for the opening will be announced through these columns, and the -event, is to. bo celebrated with a special exhibition game by two well-known players. "Fluke" extends his best wishes for nil that Is conducive to good business. « « * Mr. Gosmett, of the Central Billiard Parlors, Lambton-quay, "Wellington, is once again adding to tho improvements of his excellent room, by installing unother of Bird and Jenson's full-sized Taimanla-n black wood tables. Visitors to this city would do well m paying our esteemed friend a visit, whose room is situated over Hill Bros, provision merchants, opposite George and Kcrsley's, where they will find this room the essence of comfort and can really enjoy a good game.