The fifth annual dinner in connexion with the above Association was held at the Bedford Head Hotel, Tottenham Court Road, on Sunday, March 29, when the champion, Melbourne Inman, was in the chair. He was supported by Mr. Sydenham Dixon (President of the Billiard Association) and Mr. Lints-Smith (editor of The Sporting Life), while amongst the large company present were Mr. J. P. Mannock, G. Reid, Geo. E. Richmond (Billiard Monthly), N. M. Mansell, B. Elphick, H. Shephard, J. Jevons, F. Harwood, W. J. Ayres (vice-chairman), H. W. Jones, F. King, J. McKenzie, G. Axtell (secretary), H. Graham, T. A. Dennis, J. Elston, V. M. Mansell, etc.
A most enjoyable evening was spent, and the speeches were commendably brief. Inman, in his toast to the Association, said that the press gave more prominence to sport and billiards essentially than anything else. The back page, the front page, and last, but not least, the "stop press" news, indulged in billiards, and this he thought proved that the indoor game was every year becoming more prominent. He presented the championship cup to T. A. Dennis, of Nottingham, and the first prize in the handicap to J. Elston, also of Nottingham.
In his response to the toast of the "Chairman," Inman made a happy reply, and stated that he would always be out to win. He took no notice of the people who criticized his safety play and would continue to play to win.
The concert that followed, under the direction of Mr. Sydney Moorcroft, was much appreciated, but the turn of the evening was undoubtedly Will Waters, who was repeatedly encored.
Newcastle magistrates who had before them an assistant billiard marker charged with robbing his employer, stated that they considered 12s. 6d. per week with hours from 9-30 to 11 p.m. were a temptation to a man to steal. It seems that there was an interval from noon till 1-30 p.m., and a half-day's holiday weekly, but even so and taking "tips" also into consideration, 12s. 6d. per week can hardly be said to be adequate payment.