THE BILLIARD SALOONS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 179, 24 April 1908, Page 5

THE BILLIARD SALOONS.

QUESTION OF CLOSING HOURS, DISCUSSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL. DECISION POSTPONED. The conduct of billiard saloons, which was brought prominently before the City Council tlio other day by two deputations, and has been the subject of considerable public discussion, came np again at last night's meeting of that body. The By-Laws Committee reported :— "That they have received' petitions from the patrons of the various billiard saloons in the city, requesting that tlio closing how' for billiard saloons bo extended from'lo p.m. to 11 p.m. They 'have given consideration to tlio ques- ■ tion, but they have no recommendation to mako, and, therefore, leave the question for the Council's decision." Councillor Cohen moved:— " That the petitioners' request bo not granted.-" ■ • Tho Town Clerk stated that at tho request'of tho Mayor lie had written to the keepers of the billiard saloons individually, asking • thorn, whether they were tho actual lessees or owners, and if not, who were tho lessees or owners, and also, whether they were in favour of tho extension of hours. Some of thorn had not yet replied. Councillor Shirtcliffe . suggested that tho quostion of hours should be settled at.once, and that the question of renewal of licenses be postponed. Councillor Luke, who was presiding in tile absence of tho Mayor, concurred with this view.. ■ . ' " Councillor Fisher wished to have a letter relating to one of tho saloons read, but . the chairman ruled against this, on tlio ground that the letter was not addressed to tho Council but to tlio Town Clerk.' Councillor M'Laren seconded Councillor Cohen's motion. Councillor Hindmarsh moved as an amendment :— "That tho hour of closing bo 10.30 ' p.m." ■ Councillor Fisher: "You want to please'' both parties. Very diplomatic." Councillor' Hindmarsh: "You're a great authority on diplomacy." (Laughter.) • " < Councillor Hindmarsh said that 'the only argument advanced for 10 o'clock closing was that tho "drunks" would go to'the saloons from tho pubs. .They might as well say the Opera House should close at 10 p.m. for tlio same reason. ' Councillor J.forrali ser/j.ided the amendment.- Ho said most of tlie billiard saloons wc-ro conducted by respectablo men, who should bo encouraged. Certain people who did not go to these places had listened to tittle-tattle and ■ made statements without foundation. It was' for 'the police to see that the saloons were all right, and if there was anything- wrong with any one of them, the license should be cancelled.- In the case of ■ saloons which were patronised by large .numbers of respectable men, there was not time for all to get a turn at the tables bei tween 8 and . 10- o'clock. ' Billiards was a good game, and was played by a largo number of young men, who had nothing elso to do in the evenings. - , Councillor Fletcher moved the postponement of the whole question unttl tho next meeting of tho Council. '• , This was. seconded by. Councillor Biss. Councillor Fisher objected to adjournment on tho, ground that statements that had been niado should not go. forth-, without-further evidence. He would read the lettor that had been .'mentioned. , Tho Chairman: "No; I havo ruled that tlip letter is not before tlio Council." . Councillor- Fisher: " It's a very, original ruling." Tho Chairman: " I'm an. original character." (Laughter.) ' : „ . , . . After a little more discussion, tho postponement of the. question was agreed to.