I finished playing at the Cape in a club at Wynberg, making a 318 break. Nothing could exceed the kindness and hospitality as shown there by friends Easton, Johnson, and Weir. There was then the journey to Johannesburg to negotiate (1,000 miles, taking 48 hours), as I had to come straight here on account of commencing a 16,000 up against Frank Ferraro, conceding 2,000. I gained the first week, to the extent of 1,100, making a 510 break, but in the second week the balls (bonzoline) would not have much to do with me, and I lost by a few more than I conceded. A caricature about; this from The Johannesburg Sunday Times you will find enclosed.
There is one thing here to be allowed for to new-comers like myself, and that is the altitude. Six thousand feet up wants getting used to. Ferraro is a very good all-round player, and plays the top-of-the-table game excellently. Of course, he has not played with ivories, so how he would manage with them is a big query. I shall show better play the next time that I play him. You will hear, with interest, that Clark McConachy, from New Zea land, is here, and on his way to England with the intention of competing in next year's Championship in London. He is another player who, I believe, has not used ivory yet. He plays losing hazards chiefly. He gave Harverson 2,000 in 16,000, and will win by 1,000. [Stevenson's letter is dated June 1, and McConachy actually won by 1,008, so that the diagnosis of Harverson's chances was not bad.— Ed., B.P.] I should mention that Ferraro played Harverson for the South African championship (16,000 up). He only lost by 24, and this was after not playing for five years. If the South African championship were played to-day there would, I think, be a different story to tell.
This last week I have been playing each night at different-mining centres along the reef. They are all good sportsmen, but rough and ready, and one must not expect silence whilst playing or take exception to the exact words said.
I am leaving here for a tour through the country towards Natal, and expect to reach Durban on June 30 to play there on July 1. From there I will date my next letter.
Many requests have been made to The Billiard Player to publish on the first day of each month instead of the 15th, and this we have decided to do. The next issue will, consequently, be that for August-September, and it will be issued on Wednesday, August 31, for September 1. The second volume of The Billiard Player will thus be completed with the December issue.