The billiard season in the United Kingdom is now at an end so far as the leading amateur and professional events are concerned, and devotees of the game, spectators and players alike, are turning their attention to other branches of sport, which are more congenial during the all too brief months of the English summer. Thus, Mr. S. H. Fry, seeking fresh worlds to conquer, after his recent victory in the Amateur Championship of English Billiards, was amongst the competitors at Hoylake during last month. Unfortunately, however, he did not prove so invincible at golf as he is at the great indoor game, and suffered defeat in the first round.
It is an interesting reflection that, although first-class billiards is dormant in England for the next month or two, the season is only beginning in other countries, so that the continuity of the game remains unbroken. The boast of "an Empire upon which the sun never sets" may equally be claimed for the queen of indoor games, since it is safe to assert that at all times of the day and night, at all seasons of the year, a game of billiards is being contested somewhere, either within the Empire, or in foreign lands. Although this statement may at first sight appear to represent the exuberance of an enthusiast, a brief reflection as to the variation of time throughout the universe will provide proof of its substantial accuracy. It is true that in some countries the game that is in progress may be the cannon game, played on a pocketless table, but the increasing popularity of British billiards in other European countries is shown by the fact that a request for permission to issue a Swedish translation of the revised rules has recently been granted by the Billiards Association and Control Council.
The billiard season in Australia is at its height during July and August, months in which the game is practically forsaken by most of its followers in England. From the eleventh annual report of the Amateur Billiard Association of New South Wales, it appears that their state championship and snooker championship were both played during July, 1920, the Australian championship taking place in August and the early part of September. The last-named event was won by Mr. J. R. Hooper just prior to his departure for England, his opponent, Mr. C. T. Luft, of Victoria, being beaten by no fewer than 1,470 points in 3,000 up. Mr. Hooper's previous victory in the state championship was not won by quite such an overwhelming majority, Mr. G. B. Shailer being defeated by 306 points in a game of i,800 up. The following extract from this report will be read with interest by all who had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Hooper during his recent visit to us:— "To the members of the Mother Association in England we tender our hearty thanks for their very kind reception of Mr. Hooper, and the many other kindnesses showered upon him by one and all during his brief, but, it is understood, extremely happy stay with them. We can assure all that Mr. S. H. Fry has our hearty congratulations on his well-won victory over our hitherto undefeated champion, and also upon his very flattering achievement, in since having secured his seventh championship."
H. W. Stevenson and C. Falkiner, who sailed for South Africa in April last, arrived there when interest in the game was at its zenith, and the latter will doubtless find his services in constant request until his return to us in September for the beginning of the season 1921-22. Stevenson, who is not returning until 1923, proposes to visit India, Burma, China, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia after leaving East Africa, and will presumably arrange his itinerary to suit the varying seasons in these lands, although, in the absence of any information as to the existence of a recognized billiard season in Burma, China, or Japan, it is probable that one may be arranged to coincide with Stevenson's arrival.
Whilst writing of South African matters, it may be mentioned that the first amateur championship of South Africa, promoted by the South African Billiards Association Control Club, will take place this season, for the winner of which the gold medal of our Council is being sent out.
[It would be interesting if some reader of, or contributor to, The Billiard Player could impart, from personal experience or otherwise, some exact idea of the billiard seasons in different parts of the British Empire.
We know, roughly, that in the British summer, which commences this month, billiards in Australia and New Zealand is at its height. How stands it on Midsummer Day in other parts of the Dominions? such as Canada.
During the Indian summer billiards is, we are told by those who have lived there, played indoors as an escape from the heat outside, and we should like to have an opportunity of publishing precise information as to this and the other countries indicated.—Ed., B.]