BILLIARDS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 1001, 13 May 1909, Page 11

BILLIARDS.

The George-street billiard saloon, in Palmerston North, is well and favourably known by Manawatu cueists, its enterprising proprietor, Mr. T. Bills, being a general favourite. The interior view of the saloon presented in this issue shows that it is well equipped in every way, and with several tables available players need never be long at a loss for a game.

Still another match of 250 up was played between F- Oswald (scr.) and P. Ackroyd (rec. 55) at the Ponsonby Billiard Academy last week. There was again a large attendance of supporters of both players, as a close game was expected. However, Oswald was in good form, and, quickly catching his opponent, he had no difficulty in scoring an easy win. P. Ackroyd played a very poor game, seven being his best cue, while Oswald gave a good exhibition, and at one period put together 43 in good style. Oswald’s next best cue realised 14. A. Bryant filled the position of marker. These players have met on three occasions, Oswald winningtwo and Ackroyd one.

The snooker tournament is now in full swing at the Ponsonby Billiard

Academy. ■ There are about 40 players in the tournament, and the prize is a handsome 400-day clock, donated by the proprietor, Mr. F. Thomas.

A correspondent writes from Gisborne: —Considerable interest is being taken among the sporting community in Gisborne re the annual billiard championship at the Victoria Billiard Saloon, Peel-street, governed by the proprietors, Messrs. Segedin and Ostaja. This is the third fixture of its kind in Gisborne, and its success is mainly due to the way in which the above-mentioned gentlemen have carried out their respective duties. The Victoria Billiard Saloon is looked upon as one of the most popular of the Dominion, and the proprietors have catered much for the advancement of Gisborne billiardists. The present championship is for a massive solid silver cup 15 inches high, supported on a black ebony stand manufactured by H. J. Grieve, of this town, in addition to a gold medal, as also a prize for fastest time registered. There are nine competitors, viz.:—P. Pascoe, J. B. Rex, C. McGonegal, F- McPhie, B. Richards, E. Austin, J. Gosnell, Te Kane Pere, and Fred. Wilkinson. The games are proving very interesting, some good breaks and fast times being registered, consequently arousing great enthusiasm, and drawing crowded houses each session. The 1907 championship was won by Munroe here, with Te Kane Pere runnerup- The 1908 medal went to E. Austin, with L. McGonegal runner-up. At the conclusion of last year’s championship the proprietors gave a dinner in honour of the occasion, many celebrities being present, in which the prizes were presented, Bert Lucas being presented with a handsome cigar case and holder for fastest time

(250 in 37 minutes), in addition to the winner and runner-up prizes. There will be a repetition of the same at the end of the 1909 championship.

Ex-champion Roberts is still going strong in the market, and he recently gave Joe Mack a start of 3000 in 9000, and won by the narrow margin of 61 points after a well-fought contest. The game in its latter stages stood in favour of Mack, but Roberts fired himself up for a smart sprint, and he managed to get it in in time. Besides many century runs, he made 431, 294, 285, 278, and 218. Mack made ten breaks o" between 100 and 200.

The English amateur championship has gone over to a new-comer in the person of Major H. L. Fleming, who has proved himself a corker at the game, having made breaks of 172, 153 (all off the red), and 115 unfinished. His games throughout were characterised by consistent and solid breaks, and a skill at safety tactics approaching that of an Inman. The Major is a Scotsman. H. C- Virr, who held the title, is a Yorkshireman, residing m Bradford, and so the fight for honours took place in the latter town, the length of the game being 2000 up. There was a large attendance, and the Major opened proceedings with a fine 153 off the red ball, which was

gamely responded to by Virr in a good 79. Again the Major was aggressive, and with breaks of 66 and 64 held a good lead, scores reading: Fleming 500, Virr 257. In the second session Virr showed improved form in 36 and 47, which brought a fine 88 from the Major, 75 being off the red ball. Virr now came forward with a well-pla£ed 113, but the consistency of the Major brought the evening’s play to a close with scores reading: Fleming (in play) 1000, Virr 733. In the next session the leader made a fine break of 172, but though Virr was fighting hard with breaks of 70, 58 and 54, the board read: Fleming 1501, Virr 991. In the run home the Major opened with a 59, Virr responding with 50, and with the aid of several lesser-sized breaks and a lovely 90, he improved his position. Fleming, however, brought out his reserves, and sending them in with a tip-top 96 he ran to game a winner by 499 points, when he was cheered for fully two minutes. His average for the whole of the game was a trifle over 14.

The Weiss v. Lindrum contest of 9000 was concluded in the Mechanics’ Institute, Perth, W.A., recently, when young Fred Lindrum, champion of Australia, defeated ex-champion Fred Weiss by 3629 points, or 1629 more than he received- Enthusiastic crowds filled the Institute at each session, and at the conclusion of the game Lindrum received an ovation. Weiss was also accorded a fine reception. The table upon which the match was played was a handsome Standard, made of Australian blackwood, specially fitted up by the wellknown firm of table makers, Messrs. Heiron and Smith, under whose engagement Weiss and Lindrum are

playing. Bonzoline balls were used with much satisfaction and success. In the final stages of play Lindrum made breaks of 249, 213, 170, 162, 135, 133, 131,128,128,122, 120, 107, 96, 84, 80, 78, 77, 75, 72, 66, 62, 59 and 51. Weiss made 312, 179, 133, 125, 115, 109, 103, 90, 80, 79, 77, 72, 66, 65, 57. The averages for the whole game were: Lindrum 39, and Weiss 30.