HIGH TRIBUTE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17238, 19 April 1930, Page 7

HIGH TRIBUTE

DINNER TO LINDRUM ■j SPORTSMEN GATHER / ■ LONDON, April 8. Among tlie countless compliments ex tended to the Australian billiards champion, Walter Lindrum, was the dinner given to him at the Ambassadors, London's most exclusive Night Club, by Tom Webster, the world famous cartoon ist, on the eve of Lindrum's departurn tor Australia.

It was unique. Lord Lonsdale, Brit ain's leading sporting peer, presided, and the great gathering comprised noted sportsmen and speed kings of the world. Harry Preston, a well-known patron of boxing, was the toast master. Lord Lonsdale, proposing the toast of "Our Guest," happily traced the his tory of billiards to ancient Egypt and GreecA. He cited a gift of brass cues and balls to England by the second King of Ireland. He recalled meeting Lindrum's father at Kalgoorlie, and urged Lindrum to bring his father to England when he returned in August. Lindrum, in a modest response, paid a glowing tribute to British sportsmanshin and hospitality. Mr. Webster wittily recited the names and achievements of each guest with facetious appositeness. Tor instance, lie said' that Australian Board of Control would insist on Hobbs playing in all future matches with bonzoline halls, and explained that Dick Preston, the noted boxing expert, was in the navy during the war. That was why everyone was now demanding total disarmament. Mr. Webster added that Flight-Lieut. Orlebar was the man who made the southern railway resemble a captive balloon.