THE BOROUGH COUNCIL AND SPORT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2174, 2 September 1907, Page 2

THE BOROUGH COUNCIL AND SPORT.

[To tub Emioit.] Sir, —A letter appears in your issue of the 30th ultimo over the signature of “Common Sense” in which he tries to hit out right and left at Borough Councillors generally, and some in particular. It shows a healthy sign in a community when citizens take notice of and criticise the actions and utterances of those whom they elect to public positions. lam as much in favor of manly sport as anyone and rejoice to see the young people enjoying themselves if, as your correspondent remarked, they are properly conducted. But as football is played at the present time I think it is not properly conducted as is evidenced by the number of accidents occurring, which, I consider, does not tend to manliness. I have nothing to complain of concerning the proprietor of the billiard rooms or the buildings. The proprietor has a license and conducts his business to the best of his ability as it comes to him and it can be pushed along. But if “Common Sense” would visit some billiard rooms and see the number of young lads who congregate in them and are led into habits of gambling, and are so led on by the fascinating influence as to have no time left to think of their home or find any pleasure in it, ho would change his views. I have known instances of young boys just left school who have been led away with billiards and football, and when they have grown up it seems to be their Alpha and Omega. The reason why I oppose any more billiard room licenses is that I think they are only stepping stones and decoys to their more aristocratic brothers, the publichouse billiard rooms. (“Common Sense” has well described how' they are conducted). I thing it is about time we commenced to teach the youths of our community that they have homes to look after and a. position to make for themselves in the land in which they live and are brought up. By all means let us have sport and amusement, but let it be clean and strengthening of muscle and mind. —Yours, etc., JOHN SOMERVELL. Gisborne September 2.