Much against the advice of a majority of Australasian billiard opinion, Fred Lindrum, the youthful champion of Australia, has refused a very tempting offer from Messrs.
Burroughes & Watts to take part in the next big tournament at Soho Square. It is, however, to Lindrum's distinct credit that financial considerations had nothing to do with the declining of the honour offered to him by the Soho Square firm. Fred has made a very big reputation among Australian sportsmen solely by the aid of the bonzoline ball, and he is afraid that going on to ivory with very little practice, if any at all, would seriously damage the reputation he is so proud to hold. As Lindrum explained to me, he has never played a match with ivory balls in his life, and he is a good enough billiardist to know that a change to ivory after a life-long experience with the bonzoline exclusively would have disastrous results to his game for a time. The Australian champion is particularly anxious that the success of his first tour in England should not be jeopardized through playing under conditions which are totally unfamiliar. He fully appreciates and values the honour paid him by Messrs. Burroughes & Watts, and it is with extreme regret he has been compelled to decline the offer.
All the same, Lindrum is still firm in his intention to visit England during the approaching billiard season, but will go home as a "free agent." He has already fixed up with Reece for six weeks' play at home, and has approached me to arrange a programme for him that will carry him through an English season. Lindrum, however, cannot arrive in London before the middle or end of October, as he has engagements here which will carry him into the early days of September. Should the Australian champion go home, as seems very probable as I write, his visit will give a decided fillip to the game. Lindrum is a most attractive player to watch, being a quick scorer and possessing a beautiful cue action. He is a wonderful losing hazard striker. Not such a dominant scoring force as his younger countryman, George Gray, but a much prettier player and in advance of Gray in those smashing long raking shots into the top pockets that never fail to arouse interest among spectators. Curiously enough, Lindrum, when on a red ball effort, makes as much use of the top as the centre pockets, which is in marked contrast to the methods of Gray. Fortunately, and I say it with some trepidation, Lindrum realizes that the days of the long runs off the red are practically numbered, in England at any rate, and when he goes home it will be to play the three ball game of which he is indisputably the finest exponent ever turned out by Australia.
Reece, who grows more in favour with the Australians the longer he stays, has felt himself obliged to curtail his tour by a fortnight owing to receipt of disquieting news regarding his wife's health. The return trip to Sydney— thanks to the courtesy and kindness of Messrs. Alcock and Stevenson and Lindrum—has been cancelled, and Reece and myself sail by the Orient liner "Oronto" from Melbourne on August 9, and are due in London on September 11 or 12. The news of Reece's hastened departure has evoked the keenest regret on all sides, and much sympathy is expressed with the Lancastrian in the circumstances. He is at present engaged in a match with Stevenson here, and though only in receipt of 2,000 in 12,000 is winning very easily. Reece is playing brilliant billiards just now and promises to pretty well dominate the situation at home next season. At least, that is my opinion, based on the marked improvement shown by him since landing in Australia. Stevenson played the billiards of the century in the season following his former tour in Australia, and there are indications that the genial Lancastrian will follow in the champion's footsteps. Reece scored 579 in two successive hits last evening against the champion by means of breaks of 426 and 153, the former being a real picture and a credit to the player, the table, and the bonzoline balls.
The amateur championship of Victoria was brought to a conclusion in Melbourne last week and resulted in the victory a popular one—of Mr. C. Von der Luft. Arthur Tricks, who won the Australasian championship last year, was a non-starter, else I am afraid Mr. Von der Luft would have been compelled to wait another year at least for the honour. The form generally in the championship was very poor and hardly up to our English standard. Only two "century" breaks were compiled throughout the contest, Mr. C. M. Cock, the runner-up, making 109, and Mr. B.
Kortlang, who was making his first appearance in the event, 108. It Cock, who is in advance of his fellows in the technique of the game, could but reproduce his "private" form, the championship would have been his a few years ago. Kortlang is a very fine cricketer and may possibly be included in the next Australian team. By the way, the Victorian Amateur Billiard Association adopt a peculiar method in deciding their championship. All the competitors play against each other, the players losing two games dropping out until only four are left in, and these four in turn engage in a second American tournament to decide the championship. Luft, the winner, and a very steady rather than brilliant player, went right through the event with a clean sheet, and defeated Messrs. C. J. Lane, B. Kortlang, and C. M. Cock in the order named in the final round.
Cock defeated Lane and Kortlang, while the latter beat Lane. The system is hardly one to be commended for such an important event as a State championship.
Reece defeated Lindrum in short games at Castlemaine (sixty miles from Melbourne), Melbourne Club, and Automobile Club of Victoria (two evenings) last week.
Having persuaded Lindrum to limit losing hazards to 25 consecutively, Stevenson has fixed up two 18,000 up games with the Australian champion, giving him 4,000 start in each. The first game takes place in Melbourne, and the second in Sydney, commencing on August 7 and August 21 respectively. Lindrum on form should win both games.
GEORGE REID.