BILLIARDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1926, Page 4

BILLIARDS.

CHALLENGE TO THE WORLD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) London, Oct. 21.

Some weeks ago Willie Smith threw out a challenge to Tom Newman, tho billiards champion, but there has been no response. Smith has now gone further, and is prepared to challenge anyone in the world to three games for £560 aside, and he is willing to play with any ball, ivory or composition. Obviously this offer, whilst not excluding anyone, is mainly directed at Walter Liudxum, the Australian champion. Last year Smith offered to play him six games, three with composition bails which Lindrum is accustomed to use, and three with, ivory, but received no reply. The only condition of the challenge is that tho matches must take place in this country. Smith will not, I am afraid, ever risk going abroad, for health reasons. Some years ago he had a very serious illness, and be has to take great care of himself to avoid a recurrence of it.

If Lindrum wants to come to England, here is clearly his opportunity. The conditions are, of course, greatly iu hie favour. But it does not follow that he would win. As a matter of fact, though he has not played with composition balls for several years, Smith knows everything about them. Indeed, it was with- these that he was the first player to beat tho Australian, George Gray. Having fallen out with Newman, and, as there is no likelihood of their meeting this season, he naturally wants to find some attractive engagement for his fixture list. As he puts it: “I am willing to meet all comere. I mean business. My money is there to be played for, and I shall be glad to hear from any player in tho world who wants to try and win it.”