It’s not sportsmanlike, and shouldn’t be done!
Daily Mirror, Thursday 20 January 1938
MELBOURNE INMAN, the veteran player, was in the limelight in his Gold Cup snooker match with Sidney Smith, who is conceding 28 points a frame, at Thurston’s yesterday.
Inman showed his objection to the practice of professionals in taking reds out of pockets and placing them on spots to see if a particular colour, after being potted from “afield” will go on its appointed place despite proximity of another ball.
Sidney was doubtful if the blue could be housed in its normal position after he had sent it down from the brink of a pocket. He used a spent red to work out possibilities.
“Why don’t you go out and bring in a foot rule or a pair of calipers?” angrily asked Inman. “It’s not sportsmanlike, and shouldn’t be done!”
Smith made no reply, and referee Charles Chambers left Inman’s remarks unheeded.