BILLIARDS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1252, 7 October 1911, Page 12

BILLIARDS.

STEVENSON TALES OUT. [By. Mahkbh.] As to Lindrum. In the course of conversation on the eve of his departure from New Zealand H. W. Stevenson, world's champion, dealt categorically with Lindruro's statements. Mr. Stevenson states ho is sorry that tho championship does not offer Lindrum sufficient financial inducements, though, outside such considerations, it is generally considered tho highest honour a professional can attain. It is, says Stevenson, inaccurate to say that ho was asked to play for such a stake as was suggested; and points out that he came out for a holiday trip, and not to play money matches. . For that reason the only engagements which ho made were for two exhibition games with iteece, whose unexpected departure made room for two exhibition games with Lindrum. Tho set of balla used in his game with Lindrum was a now set, and , as perfect as the Bonzolinc Company could supply. Stevenson, in conclusion, states that if Lindrum disliked the conditions proposed, there was no obligation on him to accept tho offer.

Measuring Cues With Gray. Speaking of his future movements, and, moro particularly as to tho likelihood of his mtet'iug George Gray, Mr. Stevenson said: "There is a great probability of my having a game with Gray at the opening of next London billiard season. I shall bo delighted to meet Gray, it for no other reason than to try to get to the bedrock of tho game again. If, for instance, ho can givo me—the holder of the championship under existing nilea— the samo sort of beating which he has. given his other opponents so far, it must come homo to everyone that, in the interests of the professional game, the question of hazard restriction- will havo to bs soriously considered. "I should like also to say at once that I do not, in tho least, mind undergoing tho ordeal with Gray, as I know that, in the natural order of things, I shall, eventually comointo my own as'the finest attractivo oxponent of the gatno. Whether Gray beats me or not, I am not likely to bo a loser over the match, beoauso X am pretty well tho only player of note whom he has not met eo far.

"Gray's supporters have made much of tlio fact that wo have not yet met but, up till the present, there fcas been no suitablo opportunity for me."

"No More Sincere Admirer of Gray's." "Ono thing I want to add particularly is that Gray has no more sincere admirer than myself. His arduous (ask in developing and perfecting the red loser stroke is beyond all praise. Yet, for some reason—chiefly, JL think, because my remarks on the subject have not (in certain quarters) been fully or accurately reported— l have been represented as belittling Gray's skill. Ko one more than myself is in a better position to appreciato tho difficulties which ho has ovorcome than I am.

"I am leaving. Auckland for Canada on September 29, and Vancouver for London on October I". On November 13 I begin with Burroughs and Watts for tho English season, so that, if my match with Gray comes off, it will probably bo some timo before Christmas. Jt does not scorn to bo generally known that my trip is purely a holiday fixture. In fact, when I left London 1 had made no engagements to play in the colonies at. all. It. must havo been apparent throughout my matches that 1 was not playing a cramped ganva and, as a fact, after .the long season in England last year, I wanted a rest, and evervone knows that there is a great deal of dilTorOneo between a strict money game and a purely exhibition fixture. "I have had a, very good time during my stay, and was pore man pleased to find all" my old friends so fit and well. I hopo it will not bo long before I am playing in New. Zcakad again,"