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| Goulburn Evening Penny Post, 20 September 1933 |
The celebrated cueist gave a very impressive exhibition, and it is expected that the local standard of play will improve as a result. After being formally introduced by Dr. W. M. Barbour, president of the institute, Lindrum engaged Mr M. Lawton in a game of billiards. Lindrum soon accustomed himself to the run of the table and compiled a break of 318, the last hundred being knocked up in four minutes. He later scored 106 and 77 unfinished. Mr. Lawton got some difficult cannons, and made breaks of 37 and 22.
Mr. Lindrum also played snooker matches with Messrs. E. B. Worden, T. Taylor, J. Power and A. Maher. His best breaks were 42, 35, 32 and 31. At the conclusion of the matches, Lindrum's trick shots amazed the audience.
This remarkable cueist, who only recently attained the age of 21 years, made his first thousand break at 18, scoring 1324. He holds the world's record for snooker with a break of 139, potting every ball - a feat he has performed on three occasions. He has made-eight breaks of over 1000 at billiards, and eight breaks of over 100 at snooker.
He finds, it very difficult to retain his snooker form, as he has not had a match since winning the world's championship in November, 1931.
DESIRES CHALLENGE
The young champion is rather dejected about it. "I might not get a challenge for years. I only wish someone would," he said, wistfully. "I might hold it. for 20 years," he added, not at all content with the prospect. Uneasy lies the head that wears the snooker crown.
He was asked if he intended to specialise in snooker. "What is the use," he retorted. "But I am going abroad in March, and hope to meet Davis, the English champion. I intend to take up billiards."
When asked if he really enjoyed the game, or if he regarded it as work. Lindrum responded, "I enjoy the game. Sometimes it is hard work," he reflected, "'it was when I met Inman.
"I have never had a smoke nor a drink, which perhaps is the reason why my nerves are good -- I don't suffer from nervousness - and I am always in form."
Full of verve, this likeable young man has a keen sense of humour, an enigmatic smile, and rare acumen. His keen discernment as he looks askance at an opponent; his patent interest as the opponent makes his initial visit to the table; his coolness and shrewd calculating indicates that this astute youngster can be relied on to put up some fine fights, even against the old masters.
Lindrum is not always all out. Some times his sense of humour prevails and he relaxes. His delicacy of touch in the top of the table play makes the game appear absurdly easy; the kind of ease which conceals true artistry.
Mr. Lindrum regards Mr. Sainsbury, of Yass, and Mr. McCrohon, of Kurri, as the best players he has met on his country tours. "They are both two-hundred break men," he remarked.
Horace Lindrum (1912-1974) was part of a dynasty of great billiards and snooker champions. His mother, Clara "Violet" Lindrum, was an Australian Womens' Snooker Champion. His uncle, the great Walter Lindrum (1898-1960), won the World Professional Billiards Championship in 1933 and 1934, and remained uncontested until his retirement in 1950. His other uncle, Frederick Lindrum III was Australian Professional Billiards Champion in 1909. His Grandfather, Frederick Lindrum II was an Australian Billiards Champion and his Great Grandfather, Frederick Lindrum was Australia's first World Professional Billiards Champion in 1869.
In 1934, just over 12 months after the exhibition in Gunning, Horace defeated his uncle Frederick to win the Australian Professional Billiards Championship. He was runner up to the great Joe Davis in the World Snooker Championships in 1936, 1937 and 1946 before winning in 1952 - the last Australian to win it until Neil Robertson in 2010.
I must challenge the accuracy of the "world champion" claim in the article. International level snooker was still in its early stages at that time, dominated by the great Joe Davis. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) web site notes that Joe won 15 consecutive titles between 1927 and 1946, defeating Tom Dennis in April-May 1931.
The Sydney Morning Herald of 7 December 1931 reports that Horace defeated 18-year Australian champion Frank Smith the previous Saturday (5 December) after a 2-week tournament. Perhaps this was the "November 1931" championship mentioned in the article.
Horace recorded over a thousand 100-breaks in his snooker career, including at least one perfect 147. A billiards and snooker exhibition by a player of Horace's skill and pedigree would have been a great event for Gunning.
The table that Horace played on in 1931 was moved to the Gunning Memorial All Services Club in 1950 then, after the club closed in 1976, to its current location at the Telegraph Hotel.
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