BILLIARDS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 861, 6 September 1906, Page 11

BILLIARDS.

(By

“Pyramid.”)

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

The point has arisen and been seriously argued by counsel, that billiards is a game of chance. Now, without wishing to argue one way or the other, I would like to have a small wager that Mr. Ford could give Mr. Tole 25 out of 100 and beat him ten games straight. Now, if billiards is a game of chance, the barrister should be able to hold his own with the professional on even terms in five games out of ten. Truly a great deal of arrant nonsense is often talked in the law courts. * * * * There is every probability of the Australasian Amateur Championship contests being inaugurated this year (says the Sydney “ Referee.”) Mr. James Davis, hon. secretary of the Victorian Amateur Billiard Associa-

tlon, was in Sydney last week, and he went into the matter. It will most likely take place in Melbourne during “Cup time.” Mr. Hubert Rumball, the N.S.W. amateur champion, will represent the Mother State, whilst it is also on the cards that Mr. J*. B. Belfield will also be asked to take part in the contest. There should be bio bar to any player who likes his chance and possesses the “ amateur qualification” entering. Queensland is almost sure to be represented, and if Mr. Thomas Muir, of Dunedin, and Mr. Hooper, of Newcastle, could be induced to join, the “Cup Throng,” the event would be full of interest and draw visitors from all the States. There are some very fair amateurs in Adelaide, Perth, and Hobart who might also compete.

By the way, the same paper has the following par, which will be of interest to Aucklanders: —Bill Lyons has been showing them down under what he is made of on the cloth of green and the green sward. At billiards he has been a much greater success than With the biassed bowl, for whilst he held his own in the former, I notice that a N.Z. rink which our old friend skippered in several engagements had still a maiden certificate, with defeats by such margins as 25 to 10, too. Perhaps it was the green—it couldn’t have been the whisky, for Bill is on the water-waggon.

F. Weiss, the Australian billiard champion, recently conceded Mr. Cox, champion of Orange River Colony, 3000 in 5000 ;in .a match at Durban, Natal. Weiss won by 1005, running out with an unfinished break of 107, with his opponent’s total 3995.

For the championship of New South Wales, and £25 aside, Frank Smith, who holds the title; and Walter Parker,' began a match at Heir on and Smith’s rooms, 214 Castlereagh-street, Sydney, on Monday night (says the “ Town and Country Journal.”) They are to play 5000. up, with bonzoline balls. The conditions also provide that one shall score 833 points each night, but if the limit is not reached before 10.45, they must meet again the next afternoon. Play was peculiar; Smith was the first to settle down, and with breaks of 74, 71, 25, and 36, soon got ahead, the scores at one time being 256 to 96 in his favour. Parker, despite runs of 33 and 65, paid many visits to the table without scoring a single point. Presently he was the one who troubled the marker most, and Smith failed. Parker made 38, 91, and 49, and soon the game was Parker leads 341 to 338. Smith continued to do badly, while his opponent improved, making 26, 28, 45, 81, 32, 47, 63, 89, and 21 (unfinished). The challenger ran to his points, 833, while Smith was at 435. The match is being played on a standard table,

especially erected by Messrs. Heiron and Smith. Mr. E. Boyle is the referee.