BILLIARDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16940, 15 January 1923, Page 8

BILLIARDS.

THE “ BIG FOUR.” By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, January 13. Newman, Inman, Smith and Falkiner. the “ big four ” in the billiards world, have been playing in London this week. The first meeting this season between Newman and Inman, of 16,000 up. is evoking interest in view of the probability of their meeting in the championship. Inman had the best of the luck, and also played better billiards. He led throughout. Nevertheless, Newman’s score of 5097, in which the balls often ran badly, include sixteen breaks of over one hundred, aggregating 3209, of which the best were 469 , 447 and 257. Inman’s score is 6151, including twenty breaks of over a hundred, aggregating 3332, of which the best were 306, 251 and 233. There was much safety pla.y in the match between Smith and Faulkiner of 16,000 up, making some of the sessions somewhat dull. Others, however. were brilliant, and many big breaks were made Smith s best breaks were 420, 356 335 330 and 326, and Falkiner’s 423 277* and 275. Smith’s score of 6683 includes twentytwo breaks of over a hundred, aggregating 4907. Falkiner’s score of 5490 includes eighteen breaks of over one hundred, aggregating 3187. In the second round of the Amateur Championship. Graham Symes. a soldier of title, gave the best display in the comPe™ lo ™ S i? f j l "’ J B °. orin ? three breaks of ovei one hundred in his unfinished heat against* Parmenter. The scores are Symes 1001, Parmenter 4-30.

The quarterly auction of fruit hawkers stands took plac* in Wellington on Monday. The total sales produced £55 less than for the corresponding quarter last year, although the ceeds to the City Council were £248 more than was received for the last quarter. The record price of £B4 10s was paid for the stand outside the tramway dispatch office, which is evidently the best-paying site in the city. Competition was keen and bidding spirited, a.ud. it was eventually knocked, down to the present holder at £2O more than was paid for it last January. The fchippihg trouble has apparently affected the fruit trade, and accounted for tile comparatively low prices realised for other stands. The JanumyAlarch quarter is regarded as the best or the year. In view of this fact the result of the sale is disappointing. The sum realised yesterday was £493 12s 6d, as compared with £558 17s 6d in January last .yeac, and £245 at the last sale,.