THE first committee meeting of the season in connection with this firmly-established annual event took place in Messrs. Thurston & Co.'s show-rooms, Catherine Street, Strand, a fortnight back. The committeemen present were:—Messrs. J. W. Horsman, T. J. Caffin, H. Goode, sen., W. S. Large, J. Pratt, J. A. Macbeth, C. G. Laceby, H. W. Moy, and G. D. Stevens (managing director of Messrs. Thurston and Co., and honorary treasurer of the tournament). The chair was occupied by Mr. Dowsett, who notified those present that valuable additions to the already numerous prizes had to be recorded. Their president, Mr. J. W. Horsman, had presented them with one of the finest trophies ever competed for at billiards. This gift took the form of a combination epergne and candelabra, made of antique silver bearing the hall-mark of King George III. It was estimated to be worth fully 120 guineas.
The Gaiety Company, too, had forwarded a best Sheffield plate candelabra.
Beyond fixing the dates for receiving entries, and the commencement of the handicap, there was not much to be gone through. A proposition came from the well-known Epsom player, Mr. W. S. Large, to the effect that as many valuable additions had been made to the prize list, he was certain that, on this becoming generally known, a considerable increase of entries might be expected. Therefore, he suggested a certain extension of the time of closing entries, which was unanimously agreed to.
It was decided to begin playing off the heats of the handicap, for which over 200 entries have been received, on November 26th, at the Gaiety Restaurant, Strand. Today (Wednesday, November 14th) the Committee meet at Messrs. Thurston's Rooms, at half-past three o'clock, to frame the handicap.