Since writing to you my letter four weeks ago I have had numerous experiences and plenty of engagements. The night before I started my big match in Johannesburg with Robert Burt (Champion of Transvaal) we had an engagement to play at the Brackpan Mines Recreation Rooms, which is about 25 miles from Johannesburg. All went well until our return home and Burt informed me that we were too late to catch the train at the station which was four miles off, but if we went across the Veldt to a siding where there were no lights he would be able to stop the train by lighting matches, as the train would pull up and give us time to get in. Everything happened as he said.

I sent you on the accounts of the results of my matches with Burt, and enclose you the result of the second game with him. Since that match I have been on tour to Wilbank, Pretoria, and also visiting mines to play. I had a very pleasant time playing at Roberts Heights, which is the main camp 5 miles from Pretoria. The Bedfords engaged me, and my opponent was Quarter-Master-Sergeant Pledger, who is a very fine player, and his ambition is to come home and win the Army and Navy Championship. I think he has a very good chance of fulfilling his ambition when he comes home. The Garrison also gave me a good time while in Pretoria; the soldiers are very fond of a game of billiards. I played Lloyd a two nights' engagement in his saloon at the Imperial Hotel.

I am now in the midst of a great tussle with the champion of South Africa, Frank Ferraro, and enclose you the play up to date. Last Monday being Union Day and no match being played, I visited Auckland Park Races. My opponent had a few horses and ponies running. There was a race there for a £1,000 stake, and Ferraro had a horse running.

I asked him whether it had a chance, and he said "No," but he added, "I think I shall win three other races this afternoon." Well, I felt sorry for him to have such ideas in his head. I watched the big race and his horse run very well but missed getting into a place. Ferraro then came up to me and put £30 in notes in my hand, and said, "I want you to put £5 each way on my 3 horses that I told you of, but don't put more than £1 each way for yourself on the Totalizator as you may spoil the price of the returns."

Well, I fell into it; the 1st horse got second, so we got our money back, but the second one won and the Tote paid out 23 to 1 for a win and 6 to 1 for a place; this was getting very interesting. Frank came up to me and said "Give me £150; I want to put it on my horse with the bookmakers, they are offering 5 to 1, and don't forget to put the fiver each way on the Tote, and don't wait to collect t h e winnings, as we have to play at 8 o'clock." Well, lo and behold, if his horse did not win easily! All that evening while playing him the match he was bemoaning his luck that he did not bring off the treble event We are having a great match. On Tuesday Ferraro made breaks of 252 and 269, and yesterday he made 304, and I made 338. I have at present the pull on the handicap, and although we are the best of friends we are not giving away a point during the present match and there is a lot of money on the result. I will forward you on the scores of this match and mail kindest regards to all in the billiard world.

I expect to leave for home on September 19, so shall be ready for my home programme Monday, October 12.