BILLIARDS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XX, Issue 1120, 28 September 1911, Page 13

BILLIARDS.

THE BULJLdLARD CHAMPION. The world’s champion billiard player (H. W. Stevenson) arrived in Auckland from South on Sunday morning on a holiday trip. The champion left Loudon on June 10, and expected to be back there early in November. On Friday, Stevenson leaves by tire Zealandia for Vancouver, and intends to play a series of matches in Canada. On Monday night the champion gave an exhibition of billiards and snooker at the Civic Club Parlours, which was well attended by local enthusiasts. In a match with Fred Farrell Stevenson started off with two short runs of 50 and 60 respectably, and then put up a 20 5 break, which indicated clearly the player’s prowess with the cue. Most of the shots were at the top of the table, and delighted the spectators. From a doublebaulk Stevenson scored six, and then started on another splendid run of 2 61, which comprised a great variety of shots, including a number of nursery cannons and several pretty gathered shots. These brought forth great enthusiasm from those present, and when the champion laid down his cue on completing 800 to Farrell’s 55 4, received an ovation. The game lasted 75 minutes.

In a snooker game, played with J. Jackson, who was conceded 10 points the champion won by 11 points. Later the same handicap was given to Farrall, and the game ended Steven-

son 69. Farrall 28. Both snooker games showed the visitor at his best, and they were magnificent displays. The champion concluded the evening with a number of fancy shots that were most skilfully executed, and will long be remembered by those fortunate enough to have been present at the CiVic Parlours on Monday evening. To morrow (Thursday) evening, Stevenson will give another and farewell exhibition in the same rooms, which is sure to be well patronised, for. it is only on very rare occasions Aucklanders have the' opportunity of seeing such a brilliant exponent of billiards.

The match arranged between F. Dindrum, jun., and A. E. Williams, the English professional, took place last week at Melbourne. It was played under the ruies of the Billiard Association. The game occupied twelve sessions, and each was well attended.

For the first half of the game the Englishman’s chances of success appeared good, especially at the stage when he held a substantial of 838 points. Lindrum, however, puxied himself together, and his delightful display during the next two sessions was responsible for a marked reduction in his deficit. At the end of the seventh session he held a lead that was not again assailed, and eventually gained a victory by 179 5 points. The final scores were as follow: —F. Lindrum, jun., 8000; A. E. Williams, 6205.

In the last half of his recent match with Stevenson, Lindrum showed not a vestige of form. In explanation, he expressed himself as dissatisfied with the conditions under which the game had been played. He did not wish the losing hazard restricted, he did not like having to use Stevenson’s set of balls, and his proportion of the gate was not adequate. Lindrum added that he did not want to play under such conditions, but Stevenson would not play otherwise. Even so, the proper time to make objection was before the arrangements were concluded at all, and, if Lindrum thought that he could not do himself .justice under the restrictions insisted on by Stevenson, he should have declined the games altogether. It is idle to suggest that the champion, at the point of the cue, so to speak, dragooned Lindrum into the game. The younger man has had a good deal of experience in making matches, and should have been well able to take care of himself. When

everything went well for him in the first game, and badly for Stevenson, no complaints which Lindrum had to offer were made public, and, in any case, having embarked on the venture (whether he were successful or not), everyone would have been better pleased had Lindrum fought the ..attie out to the bitter end. Win or lose, a game under such conditions could not affect the billiard reputation of either player. It was purely exhibition billiards from first to last. The one interest in common to both was to give the best showing he could, and to make the “gate” as profitable as possible.