The death is reported of Sydney Smith at the age of 82. He was a very fine player unfortunate enough to be at his best at a time when Professional Billiards was declining in popularity and then, like many another fine sportsman having his career interrupted by the war. He did win the U.K. in '48 and the News of the World Snooker in 1952. Oddly enough, I was talking to a friend about Smith and wondering if he were still alive, just a day or two before the announcement of his death. I remember him coming to Nottingham to play when I first became interested in the game. I didn't go to see him and wish now that I had.(Ed)