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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 190, 2 September 1864, Page 2 (Supplement)

Roberts the celebrated billiard player, was gaining great popularity in amongst the lovers of the game. The [following is from the ‘Argus,’ and describes one of his matches, — “ Last night was an exceptional one in Roberts’s play. Not that he surpassed his previous brilliant efforts, but they assumed a new phase, while ho played for the first and probably only time, a few pyramid games. This was during fthe,! latter portion of the evening, for the'earlier part was occupied by a game with Mr. Norcliffe, for 500 points at the English game, the champion was thought less successful than usual. This, which was greatly owing to Mr.* Norcliffo’s very fine play, did not affect the result, though it’gavo Roberts’s opponent cause every now and then to exert himself. Not till Norcliffe, ]'who received 250 points, bad made them np to over 390, did Roberts pass him, and his greatest break did not reach SO points—the spot stroke being almost unavailable. Even then a few unsuccessful spots gave Mr. Norcliffe opportunities of which he availed himself so well that ho actually gained’on his opponent, and that -1-50 the points were equal. Roberts was then driven to as much like extremity as he has yet encountered here, and, as might be expected, he scored the game vcryjnearly in one break. At its close the game was 500 v. 463. The pyramid games then began, Roberts giving three balls to the same adversary, as before. This was.very nearly half the game, and,his (lie event proved, superb play alone gave that victory which, with good or ill fortune, seems to belong to Roberts in any case. In the first game, Mr. Norcliffe played for safety, and then ‘Roberts put the question, “ Was it the colonial 'rule that lie should score if he drove a balljoff the’’table ?” The reply was, of course, “ Yes and in a moment, off went the ball. This feat was repeated several times during the games, but on two occasions the player’s ball went off too, so that then the score went the wrong way. The amazing dexterity of this stroke caused some enthusiastic applause. Roberts won his first game by five balls, in seven minutes and a half. The next he won in the same way, in only four minutes, for after his opponent had scored two, pocketed the rest. The next game was early won by Norcliffe, by five balls, and he won that following by the game bail only. Again ho won by five balls, and then Roberts seemed to think it was time to move. Ry a succession of splendid&hazards he scored 10 in one break, and made a love game. The rest were pretty much in the same way, and Norcliffe was only allowed to win one game, the match concluding at —Roberts, 6 games Norcliffe, 4 games.” The following promotions and retirements in the regiments serving in New Zealand are ..given in the Army and Navy Gazette: —l2th Root; Capt. F. E. Medhurst, from 28th Foot, to] be captain, vice Brevet-Major Dickins, who exchanges. Assistant-Surgeon B. Reed, from 10th Foot to be Assistant-Surgeon. 14th Foot: Maior J. Dwyer, to bo Lieutenant-Colonel. 18th Regiment : Major and Brevet-Colonel George J. Carey to have the temporary rank of Brigadier-Gen-eral whilst serving on the staff in New Zealand. Dcputy-Commissary-Qencral Horne embarked, at London, on the 20tb June, in succession to Depiity-Commissary-General Strickland, who has been ordered to New Zealand. Wo have at present in commission 240 'steamships of ail sizes, from the stately 3-decker down to the tiny gunboat. These are manned by about 45,000 men and boys, and are propelled by a steam power exceeding 60,000 horses nominal. In addition, we have 48 sailing vessels, mounting upwards of 600 guns, and manned by about 6,500 men and boys. The sailing vessels are naturally only fit for harbour duty and training ships. They are never intended to go to sea again and therefore should not be regarded os belonging to our effective naval force. —Army and Navy Gazette,

The Origin of Duffers.— One would believe that pawnbrokers formed an acut* class of men, and they are so ; yet a sub-class called the duffer, exists, which lives by manufacturing goods, tools, and implements with showy outsides, for the purpose of pawning all much above their value, and thus deceiving the pawnbroker. The artifices, as well as the makers, are called duffers; and, to protect himself, the dishonest pawnbroker, when he has been deceived, quietly re-pawns them, or sends out persons with the tickets for sale; the pigeon in the last case being persuaded, that he is purchasing a watch or a piano which has been pledged far below its value; he then eagerly bqys the ticket, and redeems the duffer, or the duffing article. Such “duffers” we have in literature, in painting, in music, and in art generally—in physic, in divinity, in the pulpit and at the bench, in the sermon and in the magazine ; and for a time they succeed, and are taken for the genuine article ; but the success is only for a time. —Family Herald. Sir William Napier was born at Celbridge, in Ireland, on the 17th of December, 1785, and died at Clapham on the 12th of February, 1860. He was the younger son of Sir Charles Napier, the conqueror of Scinde, whose life ho published in 1857, having previously written a history of the Seinde war. But he is of course best known to the public by his great military classic—“ The history of the Peninsular War.” He served in the 43rd Regiment through most of Wellington’s campaigns, and was engaged in several great battles. The story of the three brothers at Busaco, related in the “Life of Sir Charles,’” but not repeated hero is probably familiar to our readers, but will bear to be quoted once more. Charles Napier, “ advancing on the sth of March, 1811 met a litter of branches borne by soldiers, and covered with a blanket. ‘ What wounded officer is that?’ ‘Captain Napier [George], of the 52nd —a broken limb.’ Another litter followed. ‘ Who is that ?’ ‘ Captain Napier [William], of the 43rd mortally wounded.’ Charles Napier looked at them, and passed on to the fight in front.”—. Spectator.