BILLIARDS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1251, 9 April 1914, Page 33

BILLIARDS.

In the match now being played between Inman (’champion) and H. W. Stevenson 17,000 up, the latter has established a good lead at the halfway stage. Competing in serious games like the championship event seems to take a lot of steam out of the best players, and apparently no big breaks have been made in this game or some would probably have been cabled. Taking the form of Inman, Reece and Stevenson, there does not seem a big difference ’ existing, and all the players named are very inconsistent, getting beaten quite as often as they win. There is scarcely any signs of the resourcefulness, strategy and determination to win so characteristic of John Roberts, who conceded big starts with any make of balls and pulled through successfully. Of all the later day players, Gray is far and away the most consistent, determined battler, and though he suffered defeat at the hands of Newman and Reece the conditions were not to the liking of the Australian. It was a tremendous task set Gray to concede Newmjin 4000 in 18,000, and it was also asking Gray too much to meet Reece in the championship heat immediately after playing without a rest for a month, which period was occupied by the Australian in his matches with Newman and Falkiner, each of 18,000 up. Next year, however, there may be a different story to tell in the championship, as if is quite on the cards that Lindrum and Newman, as well , as Gray, will be found doing battle for the honours. Lindrum should improve in quite as good a degree as Newman or Gray, and as Lindrum is a beautifully attractive player to watch, his debut amongst the champions would give the event an added interest.

Tom Reece will be in Australia shortly, and will play Lindrum a series of matches in Sydney and Melbourne. As arranged, the games will be on level terms, and while the good form of Reece in the last season is not overlooked, the Australian has heaps of friends who look to his beating the Englishman. Reece comes to Austraha under the auspices of Messrs. Alcock and Co., Ltd.

When the series of matches between Gray and Newman were arranged the terms called for two games each 18,000 up, Gray conceding 4000 sfart, with a third game if necessary involving the same conditions. The cable man tells us that Newman has agreed to accept 2000 start in 18,000 up with ivory balls for £250 aside. The severe defeat Newman inflicted in the first game has no doubt guided Gray in modifying the conditions, and even with 2000 start the Australian’s chance does not look too rosy. The ivory balls troubled Gray a great deal in. all departments cf his game, but especially in any close work, he being unable to make the first contact with any certainty of success.

It is to be hoped that with constant practice Gray will master the ivories and make some big breaks, and still continue as the most prominent figure in the world’s billiard circles. Gray has done an immense amount of good in professional billiards, the youngster being such a cons’stent trier, and at all his matches big attendances rule. Patrons’ interest is always maintain! edj because whether behind or in front Gray may be relied on to do his best. But >the amateur game was benefited most (as it should) from the fact that Gray has demonstrated what an important bearing the losing hazard has on the game. All amateur players have tried to perfect the losing hazard, and to-day the amateur champion of Australasia, G. B. Shailer, holds the amateur world’s record break off the red ball. * * * *

The Alcock Standard Match-pocket Table at the Amateur Sports’ Club is in splendid playing order. Last week, in a game, Mr. E. W. Warren, runnerup in the Wellington Crystalate Cup, made a beautifully-compiled break of 132, made up of all-round billiards, interspersed with a sequence of red losers. Mr. Ern. Burke has also made some good scores, notably a break of 110 (108 off the red), 81 (all off the red) and 80. Fred Farrell is also amongst the break compilers, a 72 and 58 being hit up in the veteran’s best form. A number of heats in the Ayre Cup Billiard and Snooker Tournaments have been decided, and keen interest is being taken by the

Amateur Sports’ Club members ajs to the probable winners.

Frank Smith, jun., the snooker champion, and Geo. Bell, who was run-ner-up in the New South Wales championship, are said to contemplate a visit to New Zealand.

Fred Weiss, it is also stated, is coming over shortly. In his latest matches Weiss has been very successful, making century breaks with much frequency.

A. E. Williams is doing well in India. Williams met with his first defeat in the land of the Rajah at Rangoon. Opposed- by Mr. E. O. Millar, the Burma amateur champion, who was conceded 500 start in 1000 up, Williams was beaten by 80 points. Breaks of 78-and-36 unfinished were best efforts of Mr. Millar. '

Mr. Jim Burke (“Snooker”) of the “Referee,” who is about again after a very severe illness, writes as follows about Mr. Tom Muir, of Invercargill:—“Down in Southland, at Invercargill, I put in a day with that exceptionally fine fellow and equally good cueist, Mr. Tom Muir, who is now living in the city of broad streets and prohibition. He thinks that he is playing better than ever, and some of the breaks which have come from his cue in the cosy local club are evidence that even at 63 the Dominion’s most finished player is by no means a back number. Close attention to business absolutely cuts out any hope of seeing this great cueist in Australia for some time to come. In addition to his skill at the billiard table, Mr. Muir is a prize-winner at roller-skating, weight-lifting, rifleshooting and sprint running. As a telegraphist he holds records for both sending and receiving messages, while as ,a juggler and coin . manipulator I have not seen any of the so-called ‘ coin kings’ palm coins as cleverly and neatly as Mr. Muir, who is one of those geniuses who ‘is good at anything.’ ”

Shortly Melbourne will have the best and most complete billiard-room in Australia, at the new Commercial Travellers’ Club, Flinders Street. This magnificent structure —a monument to the hard work and executive ability of its gifted secretary, Mr. James Davies —is the most modern residential club in Australia. During his trip round the world to “pick up pointers,” Mr. Davies kept an eye on the billiard-room, with the result that something approaching perfection in comfort has been evolved. The room is very lofty, with art ceilings,

forced ventilation, and light wells on each side of the room, which give natural light until old Sol dips in the west. In addition to a six-tabled room (two standards), there is an exhibition table in an amphitheatre at the end of the room, on which the final heats of tournaments and exhibition games will be. played. Raised platforms ground this table have comfortable theatre chairs, capable of seating 200 spectators, while there is room for a similar number on a promenade. Provision has been made for -corridor room between those watching games and tjie walls, so that the casual spectator does not interfere with the comfort of onlookers. This room is the last word in billiard architecture, and will be the chief resort of the hundreds of members who have built up this splendid example of what co-operative movement can bring .about.

During the final for the billiards championship between Reece and Inman an incident occurred which caused some unpleasantness between the brilliant cueists during one of the afternoon sessions. Reece was about to attempt a close cannon, when the referee went up to the table to satisfy himself that the balls were not touching each other. As the referee was returning to his seat Reece played the cannon, and Inman appealed against what he declared had been a push stroke. As he did not see the shot, however, the referee' would not allow the protest. The majority of the spectators were hostile to Reece.