BILLIARDS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 936, 13 February 1908, Page 13

BILLIARDS.

THE MARKER'S LAMENT, (By W. G. Clifford, in the ‘New World of Billiards.”) Oh, I’m sick of the table that don’t run true, of the cloth too old and the cloth too new; Of the table too fast and the table too slow, and the strokes that he makes ‘on a ‘ Standard,’ you know!” And I’m sick of the chalk that ought to be blue, of the greasy tip and the crooked cue, Of the cushions too high a.nd the cushions too low. and the cue-butts as sticky as newly-made dough; And —Oh ! when for a change will somebody say: that he cannot play —he cannot play !

Oh, I’m sick of the spots that are old and worn, of the tiny seam where the cloth was torn, Of the player who looks down at his shoes when the half-ball shots are played like screws, And I’m tired of the glance of withering scorn, of the muttered D ! and the sigh forlorn, Of the drivelling fool who never can lose, who always might win if to try he’d choose; And—Oh! when for a change will somebody say: that he cannot play—he cannot play !

Oh, I’m sick of the player who so sternly rebukes his opponent for making phenomenal flukes, Of the person who fondly believes he can play, on the strength of a “ twenty” break once in a way, And I’m tired of the strokes made betwixt and between, because “ ivory balls are not like benzoline,” Of the voluble gent who will have his say, with his “ I ought to have known that I’m clean off to-day;” And —Oh! when for a change will somebody say: that he cannot play—he cannot play !

“ Melbourne Inman, the English professional billiard player, has issued a challenge to the world. He is so satisfied with his improved form whilst in Australia that he will be prepared, on his arrival in London, to play anyone in the world on level terms for a side wager of, say, £lOO. The champion hazard player is very sanguine, and is willing to meet Stevenson, Dawson, or any other leading professional on equal terms.” Dawson in his present form would be a terrible snag.

Gisborne is fast producing some first-class exponents of that most fascinating of all indoor games, billiards (writes a correspondent), quite a number being likely at any time to string 50 or 70 together, and I have not the slightest doubt that Gisborne will be able to hold her own with any city of the North Island in the production of cueists of the Barney Ford type in a short time to come. This is mainly due to the efforts of the proprietors of the different saloons in bringing into our midst some really first-class tables. One of the most up-to-date is to be found in Peel-street, viz., the Victoria Billiard Saloon, and the proprietors, Messrs. Segedin and Ostoja, are meeting with every success. They have lately added to this already spacious saloon by extending

the building and putting two more first-class tables in built by Barton, McGill, and Co., of Auckland.

The opening took place on the 24th of January in the presence of a, large audience, and the proprietors, Messrs. Segedin and Ostoja, presented a handsome gold medal on behalf of Barton, McGill and Co., of Auckland, to the winner of a championship game (open to allcomers) to celebrate the opening. About a dozen players took part, and after some interesting games in the different heats the final was won by Mr. E. Austin from Mr. B. Lucas by the narrow margin of two points. : ! **' ' * * In a few weeks’ time the annual championship of Poverty Bay takes place in the Victoria Billiard Saloon, the winner to receive a beautiful gold medal presented by the proprietors, made by Mr. H. Grieve, of Gisborne, and naturally all the lads are fast getting into tip-top form, as they are all anxious to secure the beautiful prize the winner claims.