BILLIARDS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 833, 3 June 1910, Page 6

BILLIARDS.

INTERESTING NOTES. \ George Gray, who was recently in New Zealand, has< a two years' engagement in England. For the first, year the Crystalate ball people will handle tho boy at a big fee, after which John Roberts will conduct him for a year or so. Fred Lindrum, the Australasian champion, states that'he is prepared to play Fred. Weiss for the championship in oither Sydney or Melbourno for .£IOO aside, the winner to take the whole of tho gate proceeds; or, if Weiss so desires, on a percentage basis of 75 per cent, to the winner, and 25 per cent, to loser, 14,000 up. During their New Zealand tour, Lindrum and Gray played 33-games, Lindrum winning 22 and Gray 11. In both of the long games—SOOO up—the champion was victorious by 090 and 312 after conceding 500 start. His best break was 401, while Gray strung up runs of 402, 442, and 410 by aid of the red ball, which Lindrum did not work to any extent, preferring to develop his all-round billiard play. Albert E. Williams, the English professional, and Fred. Lindrum, jun., are providing the Melbourne public with some first-class billiards (says the Sydney "Refereo" of May 27). Lindrum got "into his stride" at the very commencement of the game, which is one of 16,000 up, and in four days he established a lead of just under 1000. This makes his victory seem certain, but it should bo taken into consideration that Lindrum entered the contest while in full training. as the result of his extended tour with George Gray, whereas Williams was out of commission for a long period. The Englishman is, without doubt, a very fine player—keen, resourceful, and dogged. His style is not nearly so attractive as that of Lindrum, but if in form he might beat the Australian champion in a money game. The present contest is being played in deadly earnest. During one session each man cave 40 safety misses in succession. Williams completely encircles the-cue with his hand, which looks orude compared with tho dainty, fingering of Lindrum. After a lapse of eight years (says the Sydney "Referee") John Roberts, who has played his part so well in life's drama, is with us once again. Roberts holds a record that it would be difficult indeed to even equal by reason of the many years he has been on the scene of battle and his extraordinary achievements during his long period of action.' As far back as ISO 6 he won his first tourney in St. James's Hall, London, and from shortly afterwards, until tho advent of that "apostle of touch," Harry Stevenson, lie, as champion of champions, was unassailable; in fact, unapproachable. His match against Weiss in 1000 still lives in our memory. He conceded Weiss 7000 in 21,000 for ,£SOO, but was defeated by the Australian by. 891 points. In 1906, at the age of 59, we find him making what was intended to be his final bow to the billiard world in a match against E. Oiirgle, ' a player of superlative ability, and to whom he conceded a start of '2500 points in 18,000. Roberts won by 606 points, and with many breaks of between 100 and 300. He also made -532, 425, 397, and 357. Diggle made many between 100 and 300, and also 513, 477, 465, 354, and 333, thus testifying to his great powers with the cue and to the high merit of the veteran's victory. Roberts has already made five trips to Australia—lß76, 1878, 1891, 1900, and 1901—and now, with life's Winter well upon him, we heartily welcome liini once again.