All in the billiard world of the colonies have looked forward to the visit of the man who, more than any other, has 'played his part well in life's drama,' as one of our poets has it. I had the pleasure of an hour's chat with him on topics connected with billiards in the old land. And I must say straightaway that I found him one of the most genial and affable gentlemen that I have ever had converse with—not the abrupt, autocratic individual that a section of the home papers try to make out. Since his last visit in 1891 he has silvered slightly, but in other respects he is the same well-set-up splendid specimen of the Britisher that he was then.

After discoursing on the wonderful progress in the Golden West, where he spent some four weeks, he got into a reminiscent vein, and talked of the good times he had on his three former trips to Australia—1876, 1878, 1891—and related little episodes of those enjoyable visits, to which, by the way, he attributed to a certain extent his great vitality in being still able to hold his present position as a player.

The Champion has been a great rover, for he has visited India on thirteen occasions, South Africa six times, and this is his fourth visit here.

This information prompted a query as to his mode of training. The reply was that he just took good care of himself, and did a lot of practice on the green cloth; the play he principally indulged in was the long losing hazard— or half-ball shot, which he recommended to all who wish to keep in good trim. Another point which Mr. Roberts would impress on players is the weight of cue to use. His weighs 15 oz. and is 4 feet 8 inches long, and those are the weights- and measurements that he would strongly advise for all players—he was emphatic on that point.

In answer to a query whether the barring of the 'push' stroke improved the game, he said: 'It has not improved billiards from a spectator's point of view, but from a scientific standpoint it has, undoubtedly. It was as easy to make a thousand break with the push in as it is to make 500 without the push.'

This led to the question: 'In what way, then, do you think the game could be further improved?' 'At present I consider its attractiveness might be added to by altering the B.A. rules, which were incomprehensive and contradictory in several respects, and by making the pockets of the"standard"table slightly larger. I would keep the balls the same size, for, if they were enlarged, as was suggested, we would be in the same position as the Americans, who, with 18-inch baulks, and other innovations, have now hardly any table to play on.' With regard to the B.A. rules, he gave as an instance one defect, viz.: 'If the opponent's ball stopped on the billiard spot, where do you place the red ball after it has been spotted four times from the pyramid and centre spots?' In these positions he pointed out, a player might amass a considerable break.

The 'Champion of Champions' does not think that present-day players are so much ahead of those of the long ago as has been attempted to be made out by critics. 'Taking the altered conditions.—the improvement in tables, material, etc., and, most of all, the continuous play of recent years, compared with the match now and then in my father's halcyon days, I think he, at least, was as great an exponent as I am. He possessed all the attributes; great power ot cue, marvellous accuracy, and a phenomenally fine touch, besides powers of endurance that no player I now know of has. The game has progressed with the times, but I doubt very much if the individual has to the same extent.' 'Will you be prepared to take on all comers on your return home?'—' Yes; as I stated early in the year, I will concede 5,500 in 21,000 up, to any player in the world, for £1,000 a-side, in any room, on any new table, under standard regulations, but on this condition: That I receive the greater percentage of gate receipts; for I contend that as I am the principal draw card, it is only equitable that I should receive the greater—salary, you might call it; just as Henry Irving, if he went under management with a stock company (being the draw) would receive the largest salary.'

How would you place the next most prominent players to yourself in England at present?'— 'Oh, thuswise: Dawson first, Stevenson and Diggle level, with Mitchell close up. But when the time comes—and I am not anxious in that respect just yet—for me to pass on my mantle, I thins Stevenson will be most likely to don it; for when he gains more experience he will be a hard antagonist for anyone. He possesses all the qualities of a great player, but simply lacks experience.'

With regard to the late Frank Ives, whom you played several times. Was he the great marvel that the American people declare?'— 'Yes; he was a great cueist, but no better than Jacob Schaefer, and not quite as good as Maurice Vignaux, the Frenchman; but then their game is a cramped one, and becomes so easy that it is continually being altered, so that now there is very little playing space left on the board at all.'

I suppose you have played for some pretty heavy stakes in your time?'— 'Oh, nothing very phenomenal. I once played a Mr. Sidebottom three games of pyramids for £$oo each game. I think that is about rny biggest stake, and I got the worst of it, too, for he won two out of the three games. I was conceding three or four balls. In the first bout my opponent was 7 to owe i, and I went out; he won the next, and the final we were 7 all. Mr. Sidebottom then won, and I lost £"500.'

I notice that you only play now with bonzoline balls. Are they better than ivory?'— 'In some respects, yes; they are a cheaper and safer ball, and are not affected by climatic or atmospheric conditions to the same extent as the ivory. They are most popular in London, and from my expeiience so far this visit they appear to be popular in Australia.'