BILLIARDS ON SUNDAY.
DRINK AND TWO-UP AT ARAPUNI.
RECREATION FOR THE WORKMEN.
Workmen engaged on the hydro electric cons.truc.tion worke- at Arapuni Gorge have nothing in the way of recreation on the Sabbath. Isolated from the centres of population and this world’s pleasures, time on Sunday drags heavily. Gambling, drinking, and two-up are the order of the day, according .to the men’s leader, Mr Thomas Gavin. In order .to rem-> edy this state of affairs as much as possible he asked the Matamata Council to allow the billiard saloons, at Aarpuni to remain open on Sunday. “Fighting and disunionism are the result of the present Sunday pastimes,” said Mr Gavin. “As leader of the men I am in a responsible position, endeavouring to bring about peace and harmony between contractors and workers.” The writer added that he believed in doing everything possible to bring about the completion of this great national undertaking at Arapuni. One of the great things necessary was recreation for the men during their •spare hours. To attend to their control and management was not a.n easy matter on account of the class of men coming to and from the works. The billiard rooms were at present conducted in a way tjhat was. beyond reproach, and disturbances., drinking, and gambling in the saloon were unknown. The contractors,’ representative and the constable stationed at Arapuni considered .the suggestion a good one, and were quite agreeable to the billiard saloons being open on Sunday. The council appeared favourably inclined towards the request, but the hopes of the men at Arapuni were dashed when the dferk read the county by-law stating that the opening of billiard saloons on Sunday was prohibited. The balls, will not therefore move merrily on tjhe Sabbath, as had been hoped ; the cues will, remain in their sta.nds and the table stay covered with its shroud.
In advising Mr Gavin of the by-law on .the matter the council regretted that the request could not be complied with.
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Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4940, 17 February 1926, Page 3
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331BILLIARDS ON SUNDAY. Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4940, 17 February 1926, Page 3
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