THE BILLIARD TABLE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17009, 6 April 1923, Page 2

THE BILLIARD TABLE

Notes and Comments by “Cue.”

(By

“CUE.”)

Tke Canterbury Billiard Association will hold its first meeting of the season at. the Gloucester Club on Tuesday, April 17, at 7 p.m. At that meeting a programme for the year will be drawn up, and the draw for the interclub league competition announced. It ‘s expected that the league competition will be an even greater success this year than last, and it is probable that one or two new teams will enter for the competition. The association at its meeting will be faced with the problem of finding a new secretary for the association, as Mr J. Black has decided to resign from that position. Mr A. H. Spratt, a former secretary of the association, who a year ago was forced to relinquish the position for health reasons, has been mentioned as a likely successor to Mr Black, but Mr Spratt informs me that he is unable to accept nomination for the position. Mr W. Smith, the well-known R.S.A. billiardist, may be induced to fill the breach. With his keenness and sound knowledge of the game, he would be just the mal for the position.

When the interclub league competition comes up for discussion at the meeting of the Billiard Association on Tuesday week, it is to he hoped that the committee in charge will limit the contest to nine or twelve rounds, and not let the games run on almost indefinitely, as was the case last season. Eighteen rounds were set down to be played last year, and by the time the twelfth round had been finished flubs began to lose interest, and defaults became numerous. Then, again, there was not sufficient inducement for a team to continue in the competition after the ninth or twelfth round. It was generally realised that either the R.S.A. or the Pioneer club was certain to win the competition, and, as the weaker teams had no trophy to compete for. there was very little use carrying on in the later stages of the contest. To maintain interest in this season’s contest. “Cue” would suggest thatth* i association, at its meeting, consider seriously the advisability of giving a prize or trophy to each member of the team which is runner-up in the competition. Then, again, a trophy could oe given to the player making the highest break during the league games. Bv an. Act of Parliament, passed in ■ 1845 it became an offence to use billiard tables on Christmas Hay. Good Friday, and other “fast” days, says

the “ Daily Chronicle.” This enactment. was brought into force at Nuneaton Police Court, when Albert Hellis, landlord of the Red Lion Hotel, was ordered to pay costs upon the complaint that he had allowed billiards to be played on Christmas Day.

Mr H- James, proprietor of the Central Rooms. New Brighton, reports that increasing interest is being taken in the game at his rooms and that the winter programme will soon lie in full swing. He expects to run another handicap tournament very shortly.

HOW TO PLAY BILLIARDS Thi« is the title of the latest book on the game. Tom Newman, England’s champion, is the author. Right away let rae compliment him on producing the most instructive work I have read on the game, writes “ Snooker ” in the “ Referee.” It is written in conversational style. Evidently the literary ghost with whom the champion collaborated is a journalist saturated with billiards. It possesses a. literary interest that makes good reading even to the non-billiardist. That’s what’s wanted- In the past, too much technique spoiled works of this character. Take one of the opening sentences: “The explanation of any amount of poor billiards lies in the curious circumstance that not one in a hundred average type of player has ever been taught to handle a cue properly.” That’s the sort of stuff the hook starts out to tell, and tells it well—words of wisdom which T have been trving to plug into budders for years and years. Diagrams of stance and bridge, etc, decorate the work treel>. and show the position of the feet and the line of the cue in the opening stroke from baulk. “ Mv right leg is straight, my left knee slightly bent, and my right foot is turned a little outward to give natural support to my body, is how Tom Newman explains his stance. And a good illustration it is for the beginner. When Newman is about- to fire be fixeshis eves on t-he object ball. S. H. Fry does not.. That ifi the difference box ween the amateur and the. professional billiardist. The pro. in my view Wip*. Newman dce& not attempt to teach top ©f the table play. Open work is what he dwells on. A wise decision, as few players indulge to any extent at top-end. All-round work is the thiog-