Stock Exchange Billiards

For several seasons past I have been intimately connected with the fascinating pastime of billiards in connection with the Stock Exchange, and the idea occurred to me recently that an article each month dealing exclusively with the game on 'Change in this compact little paper, would be appreciated by members, especially in view of the extraordinary interest now taken in the game by amateurs. I put the proposition to the editor, who agreed with me that it would of a certainty be opportune.

It is a fact that members of the "house" take a very keen interest in sport generally and in billiards in particular.

In the latter case it is due in no small measure to the strenuous efforts of Mr. W. D. Waite, who, as hon. secretary of the Stock Exchange Billiard Association, has worked untiringly in its interests. This is the more marked in the case of the handicap, which is now an assured annual success.

It was he, also, who last season inaugurated a championship in connection with this Association. The handicap, however, front a general point of view, is the important affair of the season, and has again attracted 128 entries.

As a matter of fact, many more would like to compete, but time, will not admit, at present, of a bigger event.

It is a pity that the game of golf has prevented Mr. Percy- Wood from entering again, but apart from this splendid player there are few seditions. One important alteration is the start of Mr. Phil Harwitz, who has been brought back fifty, and now shares the honoured position of owing 300 together with his brother Syd, and Mr. V. L. Harrington.

There have also been a few new names to the competition and the doings of these new men will be closely watched.

It has frequently been stated that billiard table makers have catered for the professionals to the neglect of the amateur, but this cannot be said of Messrs. Burroughes and Watts, for, with the laudable idea of encouraging the "unpaid," Mr. J. R. Abbott, managing director of this leading firm, has, with characteristic generosity, presented the second prize to the value of £8 8s., in addition to which he has provided two cues and cases for winners of break prizes, and these, doubtless, will be eagerly sought after.

It will be remembered that a couple of years ago Messrs. Burroughes and Watts instituted a competition for amateurs at the close of each of the afternoon sessions of their tournament, and the player who made the highest break during the week, from a set position, was the recipient of a handsome case which contained a couple of cues. Certain gentlemen on 'Change have remarked to me that it is a pity the competition was dropped. It may be, and possibly is, from their point of view, but from the ordinary spectators, unconnected with the Stock Exchange, a different note is struck.

I think most of those cues and cases were won by members of the 'Change handicap, and frequently a spectator would consider the prize his, only to learn that on the final day a member of the Stock Exchange had exceeded his break, which, to say the least, was most annoying.

On the 5th inst. the annual benefit for the markers at the Palmerston, the headquarters of the Association, will take place. On this occasion Frank Collins, the head marker, is due to receive 150 points start in a game of 600 up with Arthur Peall, son of the old spot-stroke champion, and, incidentally, winner of the last two preliminary tournaments.

This should prove an unqualified success, the more so as, after the match Peall will contest the best of three games of Snooker Pool with a gentleman who is not unknown on 'Change, and who also fancies his chance against the professional.

Mr. Syd Harwitz took part in a very important game at the beginning of last month, and, good player as he is, the experienced a gruelling time against the ex-champion, H. W. Stevenson. This took place at Simpson's famous restaurant in Cheapside, and a large crowd turned up to cheer Syd on. He accepted 300 start in a game of 600 up, but the exchampion went all out and won easily by 127 points. The only redeeming feature was a capital break of 50 by Harwitz, but his display can be excused when it is known that Stevenson played in his very best form.

Reverting to the handicap, there have already been some close, finishes, also some weird and wonderful doings. As regards the. latter, it is said that a certain player owed his victory to flukes, and, would you believe it, all these little circumstances are recorded with great care in a "blue book."

Glancing through its pages I noticed with regard to one particular heat that apparently neither player wished to defeat his opponent, or, in other words, sooner than pot his rival, one would put the other in a scoring position. A splendid spirit.

Amateurs seldom study rules, and this fact is to be deplored, as the want of knowledge often leads them into trouble. This has been proved at the Palmerston often.

The handicap is governed by B.C.C. conditions, and the fact of two misses, given consecutively, without a score being recorded in between, except in the case of a double baulk, has pulled many a competitor up. See rule 9.

Mr. Syd Harwitz had the bad luck to be out of form when he contested his first heat and consequently suffered defeat by 40 points. Mr. V. L. Harrington, however, upheld the reputation of the top-notchers by gaining a fine victory over Mr. W. A. Daw, who was on scratch, and the winner showed excellent form in a break of 74, which was exceeded later by Mr. P. Harwitz with 83.

The meeting of two bosom chums in the persons of Mr.

G. Howell (scratch) and Mr. R. Steward (rec. 40) at times caused extreme merriment, and such remarks as "Hard luck, sir," and "Good shot, sir," were frequently heard from the contestants. This also, I may say, is noted in that precious "blue book," before-mentioned.

A popular victory was gained by Mr. W. D. Waite, and off his mark it would not surprise me if he went some distance in this year's tourney. He is a fine sportsman and deserves success. Next month I shall deal more fully with heats, and I also propose giving a short survey of the career of Mr. Syd Harwitz.

Stock Exchange Billiard Handicap Results.