BILLIARDS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 852, 5 July 1906, Page 11

BILLIARDS.

(By

“Pyramid.”)

[The writer of this column will be glad to answer any Questions <->n the game.]

I trust (writes “ Snooker’ in the “ Referee”) that when the Australian championship (which is mooted by the Victorian Amateur Billiard Association) eventuates, such players as Mr. Muir, of Dunedin, Mr. Hooper, of Newcastle, Mr. Nesbitt, of Brisbane, as well as the N.S.W. champion, Mr. Rumball, will be amongst the competitors. Such a nomination would give a great filip to the game, beside the great interest it would create throughout Australasia. My opinion is that either Mr. Muir or Mr. Hooper would win, with a preference for the former.

The Amateur Billiard Association of Victoria has been formed in Melbourne. The following definition of an amateur has been adopted:—“An amateur is one who has not, from Ist January, 1896, earned his living, or any part of his living, by playing, scoring, or teaching games on a bil-

liard table; provided also that no one shall be eligible as an amateur who (1) has payed for or accepted a cash prize in a tournament or competition since September, 1905, or has played where gate money is charged without the permission of the controlling body. Nevertheless, the committee shall have power to re-instate any person as an amateur who shall have complied with this definition for a period of not less than two years at the time of his application.”

Benzoline balls were used in the recent big match between Memmott and Smith for the first time in a professional championship in Australia.

Mr. A. H. Smith, of the Pitt-street Billiard Saloon, writes me as follows: —“Pyramid”: Dear sir, —Rule 29 in snooker reads as follows: —If the striker pocket more than one ball, other than red balls, in one stroke, he cannot score, and is penalised in the value of the highest ball pocketed. Now, if a player is on a red ball and he pockets a pool or coloured ball, he (quite naturally) is penalised in the value of the pool ball, but if a player is on a pool ball, and he pocket a red ball in conjunction with the pool ball, he is penalised to the value of the highest ball pocketed (?) (as laid down in the rule). This occurred in a game in my saloon last evening. I was called upon to decide the question. According to my reading of the rule, the player was penalised to the value of the highest ball, so I gave the decision accordingly; but to my idea, and a number of players and spectators in the room at the time, the rule seems unjust. Will you kindly answer this question in your columns on Billiards in your paper?” Undoubtedly the decision given by Mr. Smith was a correct one, for rule 29 is very clear upon the point. In certain rooms it is the custom to act otherwise, but this is the proper rule. Certainly it seems somewhat harsh, and might well be amended, but until this is done snooker players must console themselves with the thought that they all receive the same treatment under the regulation.

Mr. F. Williams has taken over the Vulcan Lane Billiard Room, and intends making things run along smoothly. Mr. Williams is very favourably known to most players, and is sure to meet with his share of success.